There was a historic rush over Sunday’s five-mile race, when the women were allowed to go the longest distance in the World Cup for the first time. Many had feared that someone would start early and in practice decide the race, but here there was tension all the way to the finish line. And that with several Norwegian hopefuls involved. In the end, it was a tight group of seven runners, five of them Norwegian, who approached the finish line. The Norwegians tried to shake off strong sprinter Jessica Diggins (31) in the last uphills towards the stadium, and got a small gap, but the American refused to give up. Inside the stadium, the sprinting American tried to decide in her favour, but both Astrid Øyre Slind and Ragnhild Haga gave her a fight. In the end, it was the latter who won a historic five-mile victory in Holmenkollen. – It’s absolutely crazy with a victory for Haga! says news’s commentator Torgeir Bjørn. WIN: Ragnhild Haga sprinted to victory in the five thousand. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB news expert and former teammate of Haga, Therese Johaug, was touched by the victory. – I stand with tears in my eyes. It was big. So surprising, what a finish, what a spurt and what a comeback after a few seasons where the results have not been what she has wanted. It is incredibly gratifying that she will succeed here and win the very first five-mile in Holmenkollen itself. It is fantastic, says Johaug. Tears also came for Haga, who was jubilantly happy in the goal area. Øyre Slind finished second ahead of Diggins. – I am so impressed and it was difficult to predict. She does it so right at the end, hits every single putt on that run and she just does it perfectly. A surprising and joyful victory for Ragnhild Haga, says Fredrik Aukland. Norwegian great talent shocked Margrethe Bergane is one of Norwegian cross-country skiing’s biggest talents. In Kollen, she was more than eager to show off, and was the one who took the lead early in the race. After just under five kilometres, the 21-year-old picked up a pace that no one dared to follow. – I am impressed by Margrethe. She shows an insane offensiveness. It’s cool to see, was the verdict from news’s cross-country expert and former long-distance queen, Therese Johaug. GREAT TALENT: Margrethe Bergane made a big impression in the five-mile. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Bergane is a former junior world champion in cross-country skiing and recently won bronze in the U23 WC. – I think it’s tough. She might be going for a bang, but why not try? Maybe we have an emerging five-mile runner in Margrethe Bergane, asked commentator Torgeir Bjørn. National team coach Stig Rune Kveen was both impressed and concerned by Bergane’s slight progress in the five thousand. – We had to calm her down a bit in the first round. We had to shout that she has to use her head. It is clear that she is fit, but the challenge is not to burn off too much at the start, he says. Eventually, the world elite did not dare to let Bergane continue alone into Nordmarka. Jessica Diggins picked up the pace, and again ensured that there was a united group in the lead. – She is a rawhide. She is strong. It will be interesting to see what she achieves in the end. She is very exciting, says Kveen. 22-year-old Nora Sanness also made a big impression, finishing in 5th place. The place in front of Bergane, who did not have the necessary sprint characteristics to take it all the way to the finish line. Tactical play Midway through the race it was time to change skis, but German Victoria Carl and Swedish Moa Ilar drove straight through the stadium. Kerttu Niskanen almost did too, but almost braked to change skis when she saw Jessica Diggins enter. – We got the tactical game we expected, and Diggins is the conductor here, said Torgeir Bjørn. – It was almost comical to watch, said Fredrik Aukland. The Norwegians also went in to change skis and the main field spent a short time bringing in Carl and Ilar. In the days before five thousand, there was a real decline in women, with many of the biggest favorites having to declare their retirement. The Swedes Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson struggled with illness, as did the Norwegian hopefuls Anne Kjersti Kalvå and Ingvild Flugstad Østberg. Weng had to drop After around ten kilometres, a number of meritorious runners began to drop the best, among others Heidi Weng. Half a minute was approaching for the Norwegian cross-country star, something Johaug had not predicted in advance. – It is very surprising that Heidi gets away with so much. She seemed very aggressive before the start, and felt in good shape and was looking forward to the ski race. I thought she should be featured more up top. Weng gained many seconds on the downhills, and got back up into the close group. But then there were new setbacks and the seconds started running in the wrong direction. Thus, in the end, she was left with no chance to hang out with the best. At the finish line, she was far behind.
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Norwegian great talent shocked the world elite – praised by the experts – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
