Both Simona Aebersold (SUI) and Kasper Fosser (NOR) defended their long distance world championship titles on Thursday afternoon in Kuopio, but it happened in very different ways.
In the women’s event, it was a razor-sharp decision between the favorites Aebersold and Tove Alexandersson (SWE), which made all the spectators in the well-attended arena in Neulamäki hold their breath.
The defending world champion from her home country of Switzerland two years ago, Aebersold crossed the finish line after running the 13.3 kilometers in just under 95 minutes in the best time.
At that point, it seemed that Alexandersson would grab the gold, because she had the fastest split times up to that point.
But after two small Swedish mistakes in the final legs, it was suddenly Aebersold’s time that was the best. And despite Alexandersson sprinting hard in the final metres, the gold went to Switzerland by a margin of just nine seconds.
Simona Aebersold smiling while crossing the finish line. All photos: Kristina Lindgren
Two years ago, Alexandersson also won silver in the long distance, and today the bronze also went to the same Norwegian as in Flims Laax, Andrine Benjaminsen.
Apart from a time loss on the first control, Benjaminsen had a strong and stable race and was 2:25 minutes behind the winning time.
Natalia Gemperle (SUI) came in fourth, yesterday’s silver winner Sanna Fasth (SWE) came in fifth, while Venla Harju secured Finland’s representation in the top 6.
Strong Fosser-show
After a show of strength, Kasper Fosser can call himself a triple world champion in the long distance.
Sweden’s Martin Regborn was exactly as fast as the Norwegian after 25 minutes on the course, but in the last hour of the race, Fosser increased his lead all the time and ended up with a winning margin of almost three minutes.
Kasper Fosser in full concentration on the long distance course.
There was more excitement about the silver medal, which looked like a close fight between Regborn and Matthias Kyburz (SUI), who had to settle for bronze after losing time on the last few controls.
Emil Svensk (SWE) finished strong, only 11 seconds out of the medals in fourth place, while his brother Viktor Svensk (SWE) came in fifth. Miika Kirmula (FIN) also finished strongly in front of the home crowd and came in sixth.
Yesterday’s champion, Eirik Langedal Breivik, made a fast start and was actually leading after 35 minutes of racing, but felt tired and eventually aborted the race.
Find all results, GPS tracking and photos in IOF LIVE
Friday is a rest day for the WOC athletes in Finland, before the final relays await on Saturday afternoon.
Follow them on IOF TV from 13:20 Saturday EEST (UTC +3)
Top 6 results
Men
1 Kasper Harlem Fosser, NOR 1:37:50
2 Martin Regborn, SWE +2:57
3 Matthias Kyburz, SUI +3:40
4 Emil Svensk, SWE +3:51
5 Viktor Svensk, SWE +5:20
6 Miika Kirmula, FIN +5:43
Women
1 Simona Aebersold, SUI 1:34:51
2 Tove Alexandersson, SWE +0:09
3 Andrine Benjaminsen, NOR +2:25
4 Natalia Gemperle, SUI +3:31
5 Sanna Fasth, SWE +4:20
6 Venla Harju, FIN +6:36