Norwegian cross-country skier Heidi Weng has won the overall World Cup for the second time in a row. In a dramatic last race in Falun/Sweden, the 26-year-old made it through the 114th race. World Cup victory of her compatriot Marit Björgen in the final 10 km pursuit race. The first place to save 40 points ahead of the American Jessica Diggins.
“I’m relieved that it was enough,” said Weng, who was the first woman since Justyna Kowalczyk (2011/12 and 2012/13) to defend her title:”I was really strong until the Olympics, but after that every race was bad. “I was just stiff, so tired, I couldn’t go on.”
Diggins was 213 points behind Weng before the last race, whose compatriot Ingvild Flugstad Östberg was 107 points behind in second place. On Sunday it was again about a maximum score of 250 – 200 for the victory of the mini tour in Falun, 50 for the fastest time of the day.
While record world champion and Olympic champion Björgen, who has not yet decided on ending her career, ran safely at the top and dropped back to eighth place, Diggins is working her way up to second place with the best time of day. Weng, who in the last five races never better than 18. improved from 21st to 18th place and had to tremble at the finish until the official result was determined.
Best German was Victoria Carl in 16th place, Katharina Hennig in 28th place. also scored points in the World Cup.
For the fifth time in a row, the overall World Cup victory went to Norway. In 2014 and 2016, Therese Johaug, who is currently still suspended, won Björgen in 2015.