Norwegian Therese Johaugin the overwhelming pace in the Norwegian championships was the clear topic of conversation over the weekend. The former skiing queen, who returned from a two-year hiatus, won the championship of the 30 km intermediate start race with a difference of almost three minutes before the USA Sophia Lauklia.
Read more: Therese Johaug unabashedly superior – the Norwegian star is sorry for others
Among other things, Norway’s tough national team women Astrid Öyre Slind and Heidi Weng bent over for more than three minutes.
In Norway, the 35-year-old’s lead over the others came as a big surprise. On the other hand, Urheilu’s experts Aino-Kaisa Saarinen and Kalle Lassila they expected just such a performance from a woman used to winning.
– I think it would have been surprising if he hadn’t been this good. I wonder why they are so surprised in Norway, Saarinen tapped.
Read more: Therese Johaug amazes – Aino-Kaisa Saarinen cannot understand the Norwegians’ reactions
Many believe that Johaug will ski the 50 km race at next winter’s World Championships in Trondheim. He may even be seen on all personal journeys.
Slind, who celebrated the World Championship bronze last year, was frustrated. He achieved the first individual medal of his career at the age of 35.
– Johaug was completely in his own class. I think the rest of us are wondering what we’re doing. What’s the point of betting on this when he’s so much better?
– I have done so much work to be a good skier. But then you’ll just be crushed, Slind lamented.
He continued that right now it is difficult to position himself as a competitive skier.
– I can’t wait to go on vacation. I am excited that I can train and be able to become a good athlete. Now this seems desirable.
Who surprised?
The alpine skiing World Cup season ended in Saalbach, Austria, with the speed events. Unfortunately, the men were unable to land Sunday’s plunge due to poor conditions.
Already at the age of 16, the Swiss reached the podium On Lara Gut-Behram on Saturday, there was a chance to reach no less than four overall race victories during the same season. The 32-year-old athlete had already lifted the crystal balls of the overall competition, giant slalom and super-G.
He shot to the jump slope in a point lead that felt safe. Before the final race, a break with the second-placed Austria to Stephanie Venier was 68 and Austria, which was in third place to Cornelia Hütter 72 points.
However, Hütter was able to put in a top performance in a tough place and took the race win. When Gut-Behrami was left outside the points, the overall race victory of the sport slipped into Hütter’s possession.
What the hell?
Along with alpine skiing, ski jumping’s World Cup seasons also finished. Austria won the overall men’s competition Stefan Kraft and women’s Slovenia Nika Prevc.
Prevc’s successful older brother Peter Prevc finished his career according to plans on Sunday for the competition held at the airfield in Planica, Slovenia.
Eight years ago, the overall winner of the World Cup and a multiple-time medalist announced his retirement in February. Before that, he had not reached the podium for two years, but now achieved one victory and four second places during the spring.
Urheilu’s expert, who himself got into a great mood after his decision to quit Janne Ahonen believed that the decision made by Prevc relaxed the Slovenian’s jumping.
– In the background comes the thought that it will end here. At the same time, stress levels decrease and jumping may become easier. You can also enjoy the rest of the season in different ways.
Time will tell if Prevc will do his best and return to the World Cup.
Read more: Janne Ahonen’s old “gimmick” is paying off again – did the superstar still make a mistake?
Who flopped?
As far as the athletes are concerned, there were no real losers during the weekend. For Finns, the cancellation of the men’s diving competition was a big cause for concern.
This season, the 23-year-old made an international breakthrough in the speed sports of the World Cup Elian Lehto thus could not make his debut in the World Cup finals. Only 25 athletes could participate.
Read more: Elian Lehto’s dream shattered – lamented Levi about the trip: “Hard work until May Day”
In the season that ended, Lehto was historically 11th twice. Saalbach’s training continued to be promising, as he reached 16th place.
Next year, the Alpine Skiing World Championships will be held in Saalbach, so getting race experience on that slope would have been really valuable.
Talented and well aware of his own outlook, Lehto can in any case fight for very juicy positions already next season.
What next?
As for the World Cups, the winter season is now complete. Skiing took place in Ääneskoski at the weekend in the spirit of the World Championship, but the domestic top skiing season continues after the Easter week at the Suomen Cup in Rovaniemi.
Friday:
Women, 5 km (y)
1) Kerttu Niskanen, Vieremän Koitto 13:39,7
2) Krista Pärmäkoski, Ikaalist Athletes +18.5
3) Jasmi Joensuu, Vantaa Ski Club +33.4
Men, 10 km (y)
1) Perttu Hyvärinen, Puijo Ski Club 26.51,7
2) Markus Vuorela, Jämin Jänne +17.8
3) Ristomatti Hakola, Jämin Jänne +25.8
On Saturday, the pursuits were skied based on Friday’s results:
Men, 15 km (p)
1) Perttu Hyvärinen, Puijon HS 44.27,7
2) Ristomatti Hakola, Jämin Jänne +48.3
3) Markus Vuorela, Jämin Jänne +52.7
Women, 10 km (p)
1) Kerttu Niskanen, Vieremän Koitto 29.13,8
2) Krista Pärmäkoski, Ikaalist Athletes +1.43.8
3) Johanna Matintalo, Pöytä Athletes +2.05,2
Sunday was message day:
Men’s relay (4×10 km)
1) Pohti SkiTeam 1.45.08,3 (Juuso Haarala, Juuso Mäkelä, Joel Ikonen, Joni Mäki)
2) Jämin Jänne +7.5 (Niko Husu, Ristomatti Hakola, Markus Vuorela, Lauri Lepistö)
3) Imatra Athletes +39.2 (Olli Ahonen, Ville Ahonen, Remi Lindholm, Miro Karppanen)
Women’s relay (3×5 km)
1. Vuokatti Ski Team Kainuu 41.57,1 (Katri Lylynperä, Jasmin Kähärä, Vilma Nissinen)
2) Ikaalist Athletes +10 seconds (Katariina Lonka, Krista Pärmäkoski, Hilla Niemelä)
3) Vantaa Ski Club +14.1 (Anni Kainulainen, Eeva Haasanen, Jasmi Joensuu)