Anne Kjersti Kalvå and Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget created a gap for the first team, but when Heidi Weng was about to start her relay round, she stiffened completely and let Swedish Frida Karlsson and Norwegian Silje Theodorsen, from the second team, go in for the change 7.7 seconds earlier. – It is the worst relay I have ever run. It didn’t work and I didn’t have the same pace as last weekend. I’m a bit disappointed about it, actually, Weng says to news after the stage. TRIED: Weng hung on Karlsson’s back for a long time, but eventually the crack came. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Therefore, Simen Hegstad Krüger had everything in his hands on the last lap, while Emil Iversen had quite a second to make up. And Krüger delivered brilliantly. – Damn it, what a stage he delivered today. It was insanely inspiring, says Johaug. Monster stage The question was whether Krüger was able to shake off Swedish Calle Halfvarsson, and that surprised the experts enormously. In the last lap, he made a huge move up the hill, gaining many meters for Sweden’s Halfvarsson. – I have to utilize my strengths. I like the heavy double dance, and know that the other two who were behind are good, explains Krüger about why he entered the move where he did. Thus it was Norway 2 that ran away with the victory. The final duel was between Iversen and Halfvarsson, and there Iversen came out the best, and ensured that there was a double Norwegian on the podium. – It was an exciting stage. Krüger was strong, and I was missing the last gear to keep up. It was annoying. I would have liked to hang on to him, says Iversen to news. JUBILEE: Simen Hegstad Krüger in the goal. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Surprised by victory Norway’s second team did not believe they would win against the first team in the mixed relay. It consisted of Lotta Udnes Weng, Mikael Gunnulfsen, Silje Theodorsen and Simen Hegstad Krüger, while the first team featured Anne Kjersti Kalvå, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Heidi Weng and Emil Iversen. – Not many people saw this coming. When Arild called me yesterday, I was terrified that I was a reserve, but luckily I got to start. I have no words. This was incredibly cool to be part of, says Gunnulfsen to news, who has had few chances in the World Cup. Silje Theodorsen, who beat Frida Karlsson and Heidi Weng on her third stage, didn’t think it would last all the way in. – Wow, father so funny. I am proud to be part of this team. I had no reason to hope for victory, says Theodorsen to news. Krüger follows up: – I think we were all a little surprised that we took it. And then it tastes better, he says. THE PODIUM: This is what the top three look like after the mixed relay. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN No World Cup leaders Norway fielded two teams in the mixed relay at Beitostølen. None of the World Cup managers were there, as were several of the other nations. Several teams have packed up and sent home their best players. For example, Germany sent home Carl and Henning, and the USA dropped Jessica Diggins.
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