The Norwegian men and Swedish women each showed terrifying strength in the first SkiO World Cup race of 2023 – the sprint in Tauplitzalm, Austria.
Norway occupied all three top places (and sixth spot) in the men’s race, whereas the Swedish women claimed five out of six podium places.
The men’s race was decided first under the clouds in the Austrian Alps and offered a close contest between the three Norwegians. Both defending World Cup winner Jørgen Baklid and Isak Jonsson led along the 3,3 kilometer course, but Bjørnar Kvåle had the strongest finish on the last controls and took his first World Cup win – 9 seconds ahead of Baklid and 13 seconds faster than Jonsson.
The Finns Eevert Toivonen and Niklas Ekström finished fourth and fifth just ahead of another Norwegian, Henrik Fredriksen Aas who broke his ski after a fast start to race, according to the Norwegian Orienteering Federation.
And while it was exciting in the men’s class, Sweden’s reigning world champion in pursuit, Linda Lindkvist killed the suspense during the 2,9 kilometer course in the women’s class.
She led all the way and won by 54 seconds to compatriot Frida Sandberg and with the reigning World Cup winner Daisy Kudre Schnyder (EST) another second behind.
Evelina Wickbom, Elin Schagerström and Lisa Larsen (all SWE) all made it to the podium as well.
Find results and GPS-tracking at IOF LIVE.
Find the World Cup standings here:
The startlist for tomorrows pursuit race is created on the basis of today’s results.
Follow the pursuit race at IOF LIVE – first start at 12.00 (GMT+1)
Photo: Rainer Burmann