The German cross-country skiers Steffi Böhler and Florian Notz surprised on the penultimate World Cup weekend of the winter. At the legendary Holmenkollen in Oslo, Böhler eighth over 30 km in the season, as well as Notz, who also finished in eighth place on Saturday over 50 km, scored their best result of the season. The victories in the longest races of the winter were won by Marit Björgen (Norway) and Dario Cologna (Switzerland).
The 37-year-old Böhler, who was still disappointed at the Olympic Games, held steady in the group of chasers in the woods in the spirit of popular celebrations and made up several places over the last few kilometres. At the finish, the Ibacherin was 2:10.2 minutes behind the outstanding Björgen. It is still open whether Böhler will end her career after the season. The 22 year old Pia Fink (Bermelau/+6:15.4) and sprint specialist Sandra Ringwald (Schonach/+6:16.9) could also be satisfied with the ranks 35 and 37.
Cross-country skiing queen Björgen celebrated a furious victory. The eight-time Olympic gold medallist was still 36 seconds behind the lead halfway through the course, but closed the gap with a strenuous effort and relegated Jessica Diggins (USA) to second place after 1:18:23 hours of team sprint Olympic gold medallist. For Björgen it was ten days before her 38th birthday. Birthday of the 113. World Cup victory of her career.
Even more unexpected than Böhler’s run to the top of the world was the eighth place by Notz the day before. The 25-year-old from Römerstein, who had not been nominated for the Olympic Games, recorded his best result by far in front of Norway’s King Harald. The victory was won after 2:01:48 hours by four-time Olympic champion Cologna in the photofinish against last year’s winner Martin Johnsrud Sundby (Norway).
Notz crossed the finish line just 25.9 seconds behind Cologna and achieved the second best World Cup result of his career. Jonas Dobler (Traunstein), who dropped out of the Olympic “50’s” in Pyeongchang shortly before the finish line, rounded off the good German result to 20th place.”Awesome. Almost 2000 meters of altitude difference and thousands of spectators all over the track. I’m satisfied with 20th place,”said Dobler.
Norway’s new cross-country skiing star Johannes Hösflot Kläbo (21), who had abandoned a start in the “50s” after three gold medals in Pyeongchang, fell further and further behind after a fall and ended up in the 40th place. Rank content. Lucas Bögl (Gaißach) finished the race early.