The German cross-country skiers made another statement on the penultimate stage of the Tour de Ski. Katharina Hennig managed to get onto the podium in the mass start on Saturday (January 6th, 2024) in Val di Fiemme (Italy).
In the 15-kilometer race using the classic technique, the 27-year-old from Oberwiesenthal was only beaten by the Swedes Linn Svahn and Frida Karlsson. In the end, the German team sprint Olympic champion was just 1.6 seconds short of victory. However, she underlined her improving form with her first podium finish at this year’s Tour de Ski. Hennig celebrated her first World Cup victory at the same place almost exactly a year ago.
Hennig’s gold partner Victoria Carl was also convincing. The 28-year-old from Zella-Mehlis missed her third podium at the Tour de Ski, but was at the front right until the end and also showed a strong race in seventh place (+5.2 seconds). In addition to Carl and Hennig, from a German perspective only Lisa Lohmann was represented. The 23-year-old from Oberhof came 23rd (+1:39.4 minutes). Pia Fink (Bremelau) and Sofie Krehl (Kempten) left the tour early a few days ago due to cold symptoms.
Diggins before overall victory
The overall ranking of the stage race is still held by the American Jessie Diggins, who came eighth in Fiemme Valley. Before the last stage, her lead over Norwegian Heidi Weng was already 39 seconds. Hennig moved up to eleventh place in the classification, 2:27 minutes behind Diggins. Carl is one place ahead of her. However, the two will probably no longer be able to attack the overall podium on the difficult final climb on Sunday.
Hennig was still more than satisfied with her performance. Especially since she started the tour with low expectations after a corona infection at the end of last year. “It was an extremely tough race, I’m just super happy about my first podium finish of the season“, is her conclusion in the Sportschau interview: “It took some time until I felt good again after Corona.“
DSV trio starts promising
Even without DSV trainer Peter Schlickenrieder, whose accreditation was revoked in the most recent race after violating the rules, Carl and Hennig were able to keep up well with the field of 33 starters in the first few kilometers. Both continued to take the lead and were also able to collect valuable bonus seconds. However, the pace was not particularly high at this point. The good starting position remained even after a third of the race: Carl and Hennig were in the lead after five kilometers, and Lohmann also maintained contact with the front.
With precipitation varying between snow and rain, the field then slowly but surely dispersed. Undeterred, Carl and Hennig continued to make music at the front and were able to score points again in the intermediate sprints. Lohmann, on the other hand, had to give up and fell back. After completing ten kilometers, the pace increased more and more regularly, which did not stop the German cross-country skiers from continuing to be at the top.
Hennig saves the podium
Hennig in particular was in brilliant condition. Accordingly, she and Carl went on the last of the six laps with great prospects. Frida Karlsson set the pace at the front, but was unable to open a gap. Also because Hennig and Carl were able to keep up with any increase in speed. The latter then fell significantly behind in the last kilometer. Hennig was still in the race for the podium in a group of five and saved third place with a courageous final sprint.
Carl then argued: “In the last lap I gave up because my skis weren’t on the right track.” Nevertheless, she was very satisfied with her performance. “Showing that I can run in the mass start gave me a lot of motivation. It shows that we’ve done the right work. I just hope that I stay in the top 10.“
Alpe Cermis is calling
Carl had already shone with strong performances at the beginning of the tour. At the start in Toblach, Italy, she came second in both the individual and the pursuit, putting herself in a promising position in the overall standings. In Davos (Switzerland), which is at a higher altitude, she was recently unable to fully match her performance in the sprint and pursuit and fell behind in the rankings.
On Sunday (from 3:53 p.m. live on Erste) the final stage of the 18th edition of the Tour de Ski is scheduled for the cross-country skiers with another mass start over ten kilometers in free style. The highlight is the dreaded climb to the legendary Alpe Cermis, where the athletes are once again asked to do everything they can.