William Poromaa with a new cannon race in the WC – but no chance against four(!) Norwegians

Leksand extended the winning streak beat AIK

A new, Norwegian triple on the podium in the Ski World Championships.
But William Poromaa continues to convince.
The Swede finished fifth in the 15 kilometer race.

Sweden’s WC so far has been hugely successful, but it is then the ladies who have excelled. Sweden has achieved enormous medal success, with as many as three golds and seven medals. But on the men’s side it has looked heavier.

New giant race

Calle Halfvarsson did go to the final in the sprint, but after that there hasn’t been much of a fight for medals, even though William Poromaa did a good skiathlon, where he did the best championship race of his career.

230219 William Poromaa of Sweden poses for a portrait at a press event with the Swedish Cross-Country Skiing team ahead of the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships on February 19, 2023 in Unterferlach. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN / code PA / PA0508

In advance, however, there was talk that William Poromaa’s biggest medal chance would be the 15 kilometer race, with an individual start. Norway has completely dominated the men’s side in this year’s WC, but Poromaa has been singled out by the Norwegians themselves as perhaps the biggest threat to another Norwegian treble.

READ MORE: Frida Karlsson reveals the unexpected drama in the bajama (!) – admits the big miss: “Not so nice…”

No chance against Norway

William Poromaa started the race well, but the Norwegian Simen Hegstad Krüger gained an early lead over the other competitors. The distance only increased, and no one was even close to threatening him for the gold. William Poromaa looked early on to fight against the Norwegians Kläbo, Holund, Röthe and Amundsen for the places behind. With 10 kilometers to go, Poromaa was just over ten seconds from a medal, but unfortunately the distance only increased.

230224 William Poromaa of Sweden competes in the Men’s Cross Country Skiing Skiathlon during the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships on February 24, 2023 in Planica. Photo: Petter Arvidson / BILDBYRÅN / code PA / PA0518

William Poromaa had nothing against the completely superb Norwegian national team, who finished first, second, third, fourth and sixth, but it was a very respectable fifth place for Poromaa, who thus became the best non-Norwegian rider in the race. Poromaa was 23 seconds off the podium, but achieved his best individual result in a championship.

READ MORE: Ebba Andersson’s great irritation after the WC bronze – puts her foot down and now hits back: “Don’t like it”

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