– What is going on? Is it a trap?, asked commentator Ole Kristian Stoltenberg on news sport when starting numbers two and three had a nightmare start to the race. Because when the starting gate was opened for Finnish Ryytty Vilma, it went straight into her left stick and broke it the other way around. Soon after, the exact same thing happened to Kseniya Shalygina from Kazakhstan. Two runners in a row break the pole on their way out from the start during the World Cup start in Ruka. – Are the starting blocks too big?, wondered Stoltenberg. news’s cross-country expert Fredrik Aukland tried to understand what happened. – It may be that they are not used to starting with starting gates, suggested Aukland. National team coach Stig Rune Kveen told news that the Norwegian runners were notified: – We have made the runners aware that they must be a little careful out of the starting gate. At least they will be notified. We hope that we avoid typos. STATED: Vilma Ryytty believes it is the organizer’s fault that the starting gate broke her pole. Thinks it’s the organizer’s fault Ryytty tells news after the race that there were problems with the starting gate: – I’ve seen a picture that there was a problem, so it wasn’t my fault. – Has anyone apologized? – No, nobody has spoken to me after the race, says the Finn. Ryytty looked dazed after the staff break. She paused to pick up the pieces before finally moving on. – I just thought “nooo”. I never imagined this could happen. It was really sad, because everyone was cheering for me here today, says Ryytty. The Finn eventually finished in 51st place. Second race The Swedes were in top form on Saturday morning and Ebba Andersson had a great day on the track. Andersson was fastest of all until two kilometers remained. Then American Rosie Brennan found the extra gear and took a strong hold on the Swede. It was a battle for seconds in the end. – What a wonderful drama and a wonderful race, said Stoltenberg when Andersson entered just under five seconds ahead of Brennan. – It was great. Can’t complain about that start. It gives me a bit of confidence, Brennan told news after second place. WINNER: Ebba Andersson. Photo: NTB Frida Karlsson grabbed third place, and we have to go all the way down to eighth place before we find a Norwegian. None of the Norwegians had the day, but Astrid Øyre Slind was the best of the Norwegians. She opened well, but clearly had poor grip on the uphills. At one point, the 35-year-old almost stopped. – It was mostly the technique, unfortunately. I don’t get over the ski properly, and then it gets a bit slippery, Slind told news after the race. Nevertheless, she fought her way to a good time of 27.50.80 minutes, 38 seconds behind the Swedish winner.
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