Aino-Kaisa Saarinen defends Therese Johaug in the war of words – a rare sight in Kerttu Niskanen’s winning battle surprised | Sport

Aino-Kaisa Saarinen packs the talking points of the opening weekend of the Tour de Ski from Kerttu Niskas to Jessie Diggins and Therese Johaug. Iivo Niskanen’s absence is also severely visible.

The most exciting moments for Finns on the second race day of the Tour de Ski were seen in the women’s co-start race. The 15 km race with traditional skiing came to an end Jessie Diggins to victory by half a second before Kerttu from Niska.

The Finnish star told after the competition that he made a mistake at the end when he beat Norway, who finished third Astrid Öyre Slindi instead of Diggins who skied as the winner.

Urheilu’s ski specialist Aino-Kaisa Saarinen according to Niskanen, of course, he could have chosen a different track, but he praised the Finnish skiing star’s ability. It caught Saarinen’s eye already in Saturday’s sprint that went well. We saw it again.

– A really great competition from him, Saarinen underlined.

However, the endurance machine Slindi could have thought in advance that he would be weaker in the final stretch than Diggins, who also did well in sprints in his career. Saarinen, however, reminded of Diggins’ unprecedented trick in the final game.

– His relay skiing was absolutely brilliant. He could slide and still keep a fast pace. It was the best traditional skiing we’ve seen from Diggins as he took off for a sprint climb. I’ve never seen him go like that in a traditional way either, Saarinen, who was surprised by Diggins, described.

Diggins in unbeatable form

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Saarinen is not yet popping sparkling drinks in honor of his American sauna friend. There are still five races left in this year’s Tour.

– The Tour has a rule of thumb that there will be one unsuccessful race. As a rule, no one is able to perform it purely, Saarinen reassures.

For Diggins, what kind of failure comes and where it comes decides a lot. A start worth glowing from the American has still been seen.

– At the moment, it seems that Jessie Diggins is in unbeatable shape. He has cleared two difficult journeys for himself with two victories. That’s already an incredible feat.

On the Norwegian side of Johaug

For Norway Therese Johaugin there has been enough talk around for the start of the Tour. A former top skier working as an expert for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation Martin Johnsrud Sundby commented on NRKthat Johaug shouldn’t have gone to the Tour de Skill at all.

Sundby thinks that Johaug’s participation in the Tour is strange, because his main goal is at the World Cup in Trondheim. According to the expert, Johaugin should now rest and train well.

Johaug quickly replied to Sundby that he knows his body better.

On Sunday, Johaug was sixth, falling from the sharpest point in the final stretch. He is also sixth in the overall standings of the Tour. The difference to the leader Diggins is one minute and 14 seconds.

Aino-Kaisa Saarinen sees Johaug’s situation at the Tour as expected. Saarinen didn’t expect anything more from the free sprint than what was seen from the Norwegian star: 41st place and the day quickly wrapped up.

In Saarinen’s opinion, the going on Sunday was of the same type as Johaug has had since his return in the World Cup.

– Now on Sunday you saw that he lacks performance in skiing. He didn’t miss the lead by many seconds. But, when we start skiing really hard, he can’t answer that. Johaug can make differences at a fast pace, says Saarinen.

In Saarinen’s opinion, the next race of the Tour, the intermediate start of the 20 km free skiing, will show the Norwegian’s skills and current fitness level better.

Saarinen understands Johaug’s reasoning that the Norwegian star wanted more competitions before the World Championships, as if in terms of training.

– There are enough races on the Tour. Let this solution be allowed. We’ll see in the end whether it was right or wrong, Saarinen estimates.

Overall, the men’s Tour of Finland has been slightly more successful than the women’s.

Lauri Mountainous is 14th overall as the best Finn. Niko Anttola is the 22nd Arsi Ruuskanen 35’s and Nile Moilanen 62nd. On Sunday, Anttola was the best Finnish man in the 15 km joint start, in 19th place.

Finland’s number one star Ivo My neck absenteeism due to catching the flu shows in a harsh way.

– Iivo would certainly have been able to ski in the top group in this traditional race. Of course, the competition was fun. Kläbo skied the race for himself, Saarinen reminded and pointed to the overwhelming number one Norwegian in the overall men’s race Johannes Hösflot to Kläbo.

Tour de Ski results service