Zhangjiakou (dpa) – Because of the extreme cold in Zhangjiakou, China, the Olympic team sprint competitions for cross-country skiers have been brought forward.
The qualification now starts on Wednesday at 3.15 p.m. local time (8.15 a.m./CET), the finals begin at 5.15 p.m. local time (10.15 a.m./CET). The races were originally scheduled 105 minutes later.
For the women, the two relay silver winners Katharina Hennig and Katherine Sauerbrey start for the German team. Albert Kuchler and Janosch Brugger will be in the men’s race, as the German Ski Association announced on Tuesday.
In the Chinese mountains, the extreme cold makes things difficult for the athletes. During the ski jumping team competition, temperatures dropped to below minus 20 degrees. The forecast for the coming days is similar. The cross-country stadium is only a few hundred meters from the ski jump.