Nordic SkiingRuka Triple
Getty Images
As expected, the Norwegian champion has spread in the first seasonal distance, also taking the leadership in the Nordic Opening. Place of honor to Krista Pärmäkoski and third to Natalia Nepryaeva.
Saturday 30 November 2019 8 minutes reading time
It is unbeaten in the distance starting at intervals from the return from the controversial doping ban. Therese Johaug has authoritatively taken over the head of the Nordic Opening of Ruka on the occasion of today's 10 km alternating run on the snow of the ski resort near the city of Kuusamo. All the most credible rivals in the crystal ball race have suffered abysmal detachments, first and foremost the Swedes appeared once again in difficulty after yesterday's not exceptional sprint.
The Norwegian champion has laid down the law from the first to the last kilometer: in the first half of the race he held in his sights Krista Pärmäkoski - who started 30 'before the winner -, having reached the Finn after about 6500 meters Johaug almost lifted the foot from the accelerator going to finish his effort in the sprint just with the leading athlete of Finland, moreover preceded her a little by surprise.
With this result Johaug has reached 9 successes in a row in trials against the time trial in the first level competitions she attended, preserving the unbeatenness from the beginning of last season without distinction of technique. With today's gaps inflicted on the opponents norge has earned a good haul of seconds ahead of the skating pursuit scheduled for tomorrow, where it still starts with the favors of the prediction to score the best time of day.
Today's square of honor for Pärmäkoski, fortunate but stubborn to find Johaug's train on its way and keep it to the end. After a sprint that left her with a bitter taste after a good qualification, the Finn immediately turned back into the race to try to get on the podium at the end of the home Mini Tour. Tomorrow he will start third by just under 30 '' from the head.
The third place has long been disputed by many athletes, but finally the speed of the track has been decisive since the snowfall at the start of the race has gradually subsided until it has stopped altogether: it was Natalia Nepryaeva who took advantage of it at the end had the best for a few moments on Sadie Bjornsen - fourth - and the absolute surprise of the day represented by Katerina Razymova - fifth and the best career result.
These three paid a delay of 45 '' at the finish line from Johaug and thus they took part in a leading role on the final day. In fact the American yellow bib currently occupies the second place in the Nordic Opening at 18 '' from the leader, while the Russian is slightly behind in a semi-equal with Pärmäkoski and the Czech is one of the very few other athletes who have a lower liability per minute.
Finally, another American, Rosie Brennan, was left with a bitter taste in her mouth: the American was one of the first to start under the heavy snowfall but nevertheless she went on to set a remarkable time, the sixth, which with equal conditions for all he could have given her the first career podium. Competition in line with Brennan also for Heidi Weng (7th) - still not completely returned to the excellence of a few seasons ago -, the Japanese Masako Ishida (9th) and the art sister Kerttu Niskanen (10th). Specialist Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen (10th) completed the top ten, playing at a time favorable to the conditions of the track.
Another stuttering day for the Swedish superpower: after a start in Frida Karlsson (11th) it has gradually fallen in yield, even abandoning a place in the top 10; holds high the flag of Sweden Jonna Sundling (12 ^) that after the second coin in the sprint of yesterday defended herself today closing immediately behind the young team-mate. Even more distant are Charlotte Kalla and Stina Nilsson who are not going beyond the 17th and 30th square respectively.
Difficult day also for the Italian team: after a sprint with ups and downs the Italians were wrecked even though this format should be the most congenial for some of them. The first at the finish line was Lucia Scardoni (35 ^) over 2 minutes from Johaug, followed by Caterina Ganz (41 ^), Anna Comarella (57 ^) and Greta Laurent (80 ^).
RUKA - 10 KM TC
1. JOHAUG Therese (NOR) 26'47''5 2. PÄRMÄKOSKI Krista (FIN) a 30''1 3. NEPRYAEVA Natalia (RUS) at 44''4 4. BJORNSEN Sadie (USA) at 45''7 5 . RAZYMOVA Katerina (CZE) at 46''7 6. BRENNAN Rosie (USA) at 57''9 7. WENG Heidi (NOR) at 58''0 8. JOCOBSEN Astrid Uhrenholdt (NOR) at 59''6 9. ISHIDA Masako (JPN) at 1'04''5 10. NISKANEN Kerttu (FIN) at 1'07''2
Click here for complete results.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Social media engagement
Più letti in Sport invernali
Magico Becchis, apre la doppietta azzurra con Valerio: è il 5° titolo mondiale del fuoriclasse cuneese
A Madona ecco il titolo tanto atteso per l'Italia dello skiroll, con la Sprint a skating tutta del campionissimo ancora sul gradino più alto del podio iridato, assieme al compagno di nazionale d'argento. Peccato per Alba Mortagna (miglior tempo in qualificazione), 4^ nel giorno di Kaparkaleja. Titoli juniores a Lia (con tripletta norge tra le donne) e il lettone Bilans che trionfa in casa.
102