Ski crosser Johanna Holzmann achieved the best German result with sixth place at the World Cup in Val Thorens. The men’s team got off to a false start.
Ski crosser Johanna Holzmann (SC Oberstdorf) got off to the best start at the World Cup in Val Thorens, France. The 28-year-old didn’t get off to a good start in the quarter-finals and initially only lagged behind. But the speed was right and she was able to take advantage of a gap, overtake the competition and still be the first to cross the finish line. Teammate Daniela Maier (SC Urach), however, was eliminated from her race in third place.
Holzmann went into the semi-finals as a clear outsider and had to say goodbye to the final as third fastest, but was there in the small final. In the end, sixth place at the start of the season was a really good result for the Bavarian.
Näslund continues to outpace the competition
Sandra Näslund, who has dominated the World Cup for the last three years, celebrated the victory. The Swede lived up to her role as favorite at the start of the season and crossed the finish line ahead of the French Marielle Berger Sabbatel and Fanny Smith (SUI). Näslund let it be known in the winner’s interview that she still had room for improvement.
No German ski crosser in the top 16
The German ski crossers, on the other hand, got off to a false start in Val Thorens. Florian Fischer was the only starter to survive the qualification and made it into the round of the best 32 in 29th place. But the 23-year-old from SC Starnberg only finished third in his four-way duel.
This meant that the last German athlete was out of the competition. Fischer shook his head in disappointment at the finish because he could have done better. The victory went to the Austrian Tristan Takats. Tyler Wallasch (USA) came second ahead of Romain Detraz (SUI).