Spectacular: one word can sum up the Skiathlon at the Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme, which crowned the Norwegians Therese Johaug and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.
The Skiathlon of Val di Fiemme at the Tour de Ski has the ‘cannibal’ Johannes Høsflot Klæbo signature, but Italy was also great with Federico Pellegrino who placed 2nd after an incredible race.
In the women’s race Therese Johaug stood out: the Norwegian champion made ‘stage and jersey’ and with her success over Teresa Stadlober (2nd) and Astrid Oeyre Slind (3rd) took the overall ranking lead. Johaug made the winning attack at the end of the 4th lap, the first of the skating laps after the first three laps in classic technique. The podium was decided in a sprint to the photo finish that handed the ‘wooden medal’ to a rediscovered Ebba Andersson.
Tomorrow, the 19th Tour de Ski will be awarded, with the favourites ‘norge’ Johaug and Klæbo who could score their 4th career success in the Tour's Overall ranking and thus even the score with the champions Justyna Kowalczyk and Dario Cologna, who each have 4 crystal trophies in their trophy cabinet. Before the great emotions with the Final Climb (2.15 pm men's start and 3.30 pm women's start), there is all the fascination of the Rampa con i Campioni, the Open race that from 11 am will unleash amateurs and great-exes on the ramps leading to Alpe Cermis. For the organising committee Nordic Ski Val di Fiemme, this marks the end of another splendid day of sport, the eve of the big party that will conclude the Tour de Ski.
© Newspower