Norwegians Anna Ulvensøen and Jørgen Baklid took the first victories in the 3-day World Cup round in Germany, Ulvensøen winning comfortably by 19 seconds, whereas only Baklid’s fast finish gave him the win, by 4 seconds.
Baklid was closely challenged by his compatriot Styrk Kamsvaag, who before today was placed 7th in the World Cup standings, and was 11th in the Sprint race in the first round. Baklid started strongly and was 17 seconds ahead at the first timing point, but his lead was gradually reduced and at the final control, Kamstaag was 1 second ahead. In the finish approach Baklid really showed his class, taking 38 seconds to the finish compared to Kamsvaag’s 43.
Nicola Müller (SUI) on his way to third place in the sprint. Photo: Milan Venhoda
Four nations were represented in the top 6 in the men’s race, with veteran Andrei Lamov, now competing for Sweden, taking sixth place.
In the women’s race, Ulvensøen started 1 minute before one of her strongest challengers, Sweden’s Magdalena Olsson, but Olsson never caught sight of the race winner out on the course. Daisy Kudre Schnyder, Estonia, World Cup leader before today, finished fifth, 54 seconds down. In the first round Sprint, Finland had three athletes in the top 6, but today there were none; best Finn was under-23 athlete Amanda Yli Futka in seventh place.
Last starter Frida Sandberg (SWE) on her way to third place today. Photo: Milan Venhoda
Again, the top 6 included athletes from 4 nations; Switzerland was the one non-Scandinavian nation to have a top-6 finisher in both the women’s and the men’s races.
On a sunny day with the temperature around freezing point, the race included a spectator passage through the high-level Chiemgau Arena and took place mainly on the artificial snow tracks in the neighbourhood.
Tomorrow’s Middle race will use the same arena, the race starting at 10.00 CET. GPS tracking and live results can be followed on IOF LIVE.
Leading results, Sprint
Women
- Anna Ulvensøen NOR 14:45
- Magdalena Olsson SWE 15:04
- Frida Sandberg SWE 15:18
- Idunn Strand NOR 15:34
- Daisy Kudre Schnyder EST 15:39
- Delia Giezendanner SUI 15:40
Men
- Jørgen Baklid NOR 12:49
- Styrk Kamsvaag NOR 12:53
- Nicola Müller SUI 13:02
- Pyry Riisanen FIN 13:04
- Isak Lundholm SWE 13:15
- Andrei Lamov SWE 13:17