Kerttu Niskanen wove a successful plot to make the Swedes go head-to-head – a significant difference in the final climb compared to previous years | Sport

Kerttu Niskanen succeeded in the final climb of the Tour de Ski and beat the Swedes ahead of him.

The overall winner of the Tour de Ski Jessie Diggins the expression said it again. Climbing the final ascent of Alpe Cermis is hard work.

In Finnish terms, this women’s Tour ended positively. Kerttu Niskanen was fourth in the final climb and came handsomely to the podium in third overall. Last year, Niskanen was second in the overall competition.

– Of course, getting into the group of three was a dream. We went one day at a time and one race at a time. I was hoping that there would be enough bangs for this climb, and it was really hard skiing, Niskanen said in an interview with Urheilu.

Diggins was far away before the final climb and Niskanen knew that Norway’s Heidi Weng was strong on Alpe Cermis. That’s why his plan was to defeat the Swedes who were ahead in the overall situation Jonna Sundling and Frida Karlsson. He succeeded in that plan. It was accompanied by an unusual course of the race in the final climb.

– The climb felt good from the beginning. We skied in loess for a long time, although often a few skiers have broken away before. I followed the Swedes and Jonna was first. Frida didn’t seem fresh either, so I thought I’d pass right away and not wait any longer, Niskanen said.

In addition to Mainio’s final climb, Niskanen won two races on the Tour. The sprints and Saturday’s traditional joint start competition were left behind.

– It was nice for the skiers and certainly the spectators that there was a lot to be excited about on the last day. I can’t remember the last time almost all top women have been here. Just now Ebba Andersson was missing.

Niskanen raises the significance of the Tour’s podium place, especially in a year without a prestigious race.

– Everyone is betting on this. You have to succeed really well to be among the three. Yes, this goes high in the trophy cabinet.