Urheilu’s skiing expert Aino-Kaisa Saarinen summarizes the topics of the Tour de Ski special race. Kerttu Niskanen succeeded wonderfully, but Saarinen hits the counter with a nasty prediction.
Kerttu Niskanen the first podium finish of his career in freestyle skiing made Urheilu’s skiing expert happy on New Year’s Eve.
– It was a super hard performance in skiing. Even as a solo driver, it was a great performance. Kerttu is in really good shape, Aino-Kaisa Saarinen glowed third place.
Niskanen finished third in the exceptional 20 kilometer freestyle skiing competition. It was raced as an intermediate start and in such a way that only one route was run the whole way through the beautiful mountain scenery of the Dolomites.
In practice, the first 10 kilometers went up and the last 10 kilometers went down. Even after the uphill section, Niskanen fought for the win Therese Johaugin with, but with a decreasing proportionSat Astrid Öyre Slind came past them in clear victory.
Head coach of the Finnish national team Teemu Badass lamented Niskanen’s bad luck. Slind benefited from skiing the downhill section in a group, as did Johaug.
– The differences would probably have been smaller if they had also skied by themselves. However, I can’t say whether the situation would have turned the other way around. However, they are such tough endurance machines, Saarinen reminded.
Konkarit dominated once again, what the hell?
A fun fact was that all three women on the podium were 36 years old. The same age group of those born in 1988 were on the podium in the last World Cup race before the Christmas break in Davos, when they were also the top three in the 20 km time trial on traditional skiing in Davos.
– That has been a good age group and still is. There are iron women, Saarinen incensed.
According to the expert, the competition format of the day also served the more experienced guard.
– In this competition, muscular endurance was required. Slindi, who has skied long distances, can find it, says Saarinen.
Saarinen still does not see any bigger signals in the situation.
– This shows that the sport is a fierce endurance sport. These women have a lot going for them. That muscle endurance only comes through the training sessions, Saarinen emphasizes.
In Kerttu Niskanen’s battle for victory, a nasty aftertaste is next
The overall race of the Tour will continue with exciting settings on Wednesday, when 15 kilometers will be raced as a traditional skiing pursuit race. We will also start based on Tuesday’s results. That’s where the unpleasant aftertaste of Niskanen’s top drive lies.
1. Astrid Öyre Slind NOR 48.54,9
2. Therese Johaug NOR + 3.3
3. Kerttu Niskanen FIN + 20.3
4. Katherine Stewart-Jones CAN + 27.8
4. Victoria Carl GER + 27.8
6. Jessie Diggins USA + 36.3
7. Heidi Weng NOR + 44.9
8. Moa Ilar SWE + 57.8
9. Kristin Fosnäs NOR +1.00,1
10. Sophia Laukli USA +1.01,1
11. Krista Pärmäkoski FIN +1.07,2
16. Jasmi Joensuu FIN +1.39.0
24. Johanna Matintalo FIN +2.07,2
41. Jasmin Kähärä FIN +3.06,9
– Now such a bad thing happened that Slind and Johaug get to make a difference at the top. They will definitely have a tactic that Johaug pulls hard on the climbs and Slind pulls hard on the flat and downhills. Slind will probably win in the end. I don’t think that Johaug will be able to turn that fight in any way and drop Slindi, Saarinen’s boss.
Saarinen believes that Kerttu Niskanes will have a really ungrateful place on Wednesday.
– In front of Kertu, we start skiing on the sole at the bottom. The difference is hard to catch. After seven to eight seconds, the next ones come. You shouldn’t wait for them. Kerttu is a much better skier with traditional skiing, says Saarinen.
Of course, Saarinen hopes for a great solo race like Tuesday’s from Niskas and once again the great success of Finland’s service. It is also interesting to see the overall race leading Jessie Diggins going. On Tuesday, the American superstar finished sixth, 36.3 seconds behind. He didn’t show the familiar antics of a terrorist.
– Diggins flopped today. I expected him to be the clear favorite to win. Diggins can slide skis and can skate poles. He is good at fast skiing. Today he was the key like a cow’s breath, Saarinen was amazed.
Saarinen sees the women’s victory struggle now as a four-way trade between Diggins, Niskanen, Johaug and Slind. In the overall battle of the Tour, a lot will be decided for Niskanen on Wednesday. How will Johaug and Slind be able to work together and will they be able to leave more of Niska behind?
– Kerttu has excellent opportunities for winning. There are also many others. The group is really tight now. Those four skiers are firmly in both the battle for the Tour podium and the battle for victory. Now it’s really interesting. I don’t remember the last time there was such a situation, says Saarinen.
1. Jessie Diggins USA 1.33.49
2. Kerttu Niskanen FIN + 0.22
3. Astrid Öyre Slind NOR + 0.32
4. Therese Johaug NOR + 0.41
5. Heidi Weng NOR + 1.17
6. Moa Ilar SWE + 2.09
7. Krista Pärmäkoski FIN + 2.13
8. Kristin Fosnäs NOR + 2.14
9. Silje Theodorsen NOR + 2.20
10. Victoria Carl GER + 2.24
11. Jasmi Joensuu FIN + 2.35
17. Johanna Matintalo FIN + 3.26
32. Jasmin Kähärä FIN + 5.10
Sweden big flop
Not a single Swede can be seen in the top fight. The Tour has been a disappointment for Sweden. Their best is Mo Ilar in sixth place overall. Ilar is already more than two minutes behind the leader. From pre-favourites Ebba Andersson has been quiet. The Swedes have suffered from illnesses over the course of the season, and maintenance has not been successful at the Tour. Jonna Sundling and Frida Karlsson withdrew from the Tour in advance due to health problems.
– Everything is a bit down in Sweden. It is an unfortunate fact that once the ball starts spinning in the wrong direction, it is difficult to stop it. Sweden probably has a meeting place about how they can turn their sled. Now you shouldn’t be sick or out of tune anymore. Otherwise, the ride will be cold at the World Championships, Saarinen estimates.