Linda Lindkvist (SWE) took another win in today’s shortened middle distance Ski Orienteering World Cup race in Tauplitzalm, Austria, where Aapo Viippola (FIN) claimed his first World Cup-victory in the men’s class.
Due to heavy snowfall in the area, the organisers decided to swap today’s pursuit race with tomorrow’s middle distance, so the athletes competed on a 3,9 kilometer (women) and 4,4 kilometer (men) middle distance course and will race the pursuit race Wednesday.
In the snowy weather Anna Ulvensøen (NOR) took some fast route choices in the beginning of the course and led the race until half way, where Lindkvist caught up with the Norwegian’s split times and ended up winning by just a second. Her second win in two days.
Elina Schagerström (SWE) was 41 seconds slower than Lindkvist in third place and was followed by fellow Swedes Evelina Wickbom, Lisa Larsen with Anezka Hlavacova (CZE) occupying the last spot on the podium.
The men’s class looked for a long time to offer a close decision as well between Aapo Viippola and Henrik Fredriksen Aas (NOR), but the Finn proved to be faster on the last kilometer and won by 16 seconds. Isak Jonsson (NOR) took another third place today.
Gion Schnyder (SUI) was fourth, 9 seconds ahead of yesterday’s winner Bjørnar Kvåle, while Tobias Habenicht secured the last podium place for Austria and the home crowd.
Jørgen Baklid (NOR) looked to be on his way to a victory today with fast split times but he was eventually disqualified due to a mispunch.
Find results and GPS-tracking from today at IOF LIVE.
After the second race Linda Lindkvist leads the women’s World Cup standings by impressive 83 points with Frida Sandberg (SWE) and Anna Ulvensøen behind her. Bjørnar Kvåle’s lead in the men’s class is 25 points ahead of Henrik Fredriksen Aas and Isak Jonsson, who both have 120 points.
Follow Wednesday’s pursuit race at IOF LIVE scheduled to start at 12.00 (UTC+1)
Photo: Rainer Burmann