Kerttu Niskanen, who reached third, caught up with Norway’s Tiril Udnes Weng, who is in second place in the Tour de Ski. For Katharina Hennig from Germany, who won the competition, first place is a rare treat.
14:37•Updated 14:39
Kerttu Niskanen did an important performance in the Tour de Skin 15 km joint start considering the overall race.
Niskanen, who finished third and took his second top prize of this Tour, rose to third place in the overall race and 25 seconds behind Tiril Udnes from Weng. Before the penultimate stage, the difference between the two was 51 seconds.
Germany won the race Katharina Hennig before Sweden Frida Karlsson.
Niskanen had to do a lot of draft work. The others didn’t help much.
– That’s when I was a little afraid that there wouldn’t be any bettors. I wonder why Katharina and Frida didn’t go to lead the group. We would have tried to alternately pull and make more difference. It felt like all the work was left on my shoulders.
Niskanen said that he skied with the overall race in mind. If he wanted to win, the Finn would have settled for another tactic.
– I have not seen the current situation. I was just trying to think about the overall tour today. I would be able to separate myself from those who struggle with me for the same places.
Participated in the top fight Krista Pärmäkoski had to stop the Tour due to a stomach bug. Also Jasmi to Joensuu the tour ended with the same trouble.
Niskanen admits that the situation is worrying.
– Of course it worries. I just have to take care of things in the same way as before. No can do.
An important victory for cross-country skiing
For Hennig, who won the race, first place was the first of his career in the World Cup. The last time a German female skier had won at the Tour was in December 2008. Claudia Nystad At that time, he won the free prologue in Oberhof, Germany.
Almost 14 years had already passed since the victory achieved by the German woman.
Hennig reached the podium in the joint start of Val di Fiemme two years ago as well.
– I am really happy with my first victory here in Val di Fiemme. This is one of my best tracks. My family and boyfriend were there to see, which motivated me, said a happy Hennig in an interview after the race.
Hennig believes that the cross-country victory is important for the Germans.
– I know that there were many Germans who cheered from their sofas. I believe this motivates children who enjoy skiing, Hennig stated.
Germany is an important market area for international cross-country skiing.
– It is important from the point of view of skiing as a whole that there are top athletes from different countries who can do well in individual competitions as well as prestigious competitions. Hennig has made a systematic ascent to the top in previous years. Hennig will certainly fight for prestigious competition medals in the next years, Urheilu’s expert Toni Roponen your sum.
The Tour de Ski culminates on Sunday with the ascent of Alpe Cermis. The women’s competition will be shown live on TV2 and Areena from 11:55. The men’s competition starts at 1:40 p.m.