Blinkfestivalen: Krueger wins the duel with Holund, top 20 blues. Laukli wins among women

The Lysebotn Opp has opened the program of the classic summer festival that sees cross-country skiers and biathletes as protagonists. Comarella, the best of the Italian national team, tenth in the women's competition.

Thursday 4 August 2022 3 minutes reading time

It is a Norwegian double in the opening of the Blinkfestivalen 2022, with Simen Hegstad Krueger who triumphed along the 7.5 km uphill (skating on roller skis) of the Lysebotn Opp at the men's level. The Olympic champion, already winner of this race for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020, won in 28''55 "at the end of a duel with compatriot Hans Christer Holund, second with 17" late. In third place Irineu Esteve Altimiras, able to bring his Andorra on the podium also in Norway. Several Azzurri are also at the start, in full preparation for the new season: Paolo Ventura was the first of the Italians on arrival, finishing 17th at 2''49 "from Krueger, just behind a biathlon champion like the French Emilien Jacquelin. Nineteenth position for Giandomenico Salvadori, who finished ahead of Federico Pellegrino, 20th, and Davide Graz (22nd). Also noteworthy is the 26th final place for Matteo Tanel, the world champion in roller skis invited to the event by the organizers, and the 30th for Francesco De Fabiani. Absent Therese Johaug, six-time Blinkfestivalen winner and who announced her retirement last March, came a US hit for the second time in the history of women's Lysebotn Opp. Sophia Ireland Laukli (born in 2000) confirmed her skills as a climber, establishing herself with a 13 ”advantage over the French Delphine Claudel. In third place, 50 ”behind, ended the hostess Heidi Weng, good at beating the French Flora Dolci in the sprint. Top ten for the only blue at the start, Anna Comarella, who finished in 10th place with a gap of 3''11 ”from the winner.

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