The women’s 20-kilometer sprint cost at least both blood and sweat for Jessie Diggins. In the finish area lay a cold and bloody Jessie Diggins who had just fought her way into second place. Both the health workers and teammates tried to help her to her feet, but the American collapsed after the first attempt. Diggins also collapsed after she was carried out of the target area. She had to be held up by four people. A broken pole in the final minutes ensured both a frozen hand and a bloody face. – What she does is so impressive, says news’s Fredrik Aukland. The pole break caused her to lose her glove as well, and when she was about to get a new pole, it was almost smashed into her face, so that she started bleeding. The American still fought on, secured second place, and collapsed right after the finish line. – She has zero respect Before the race got as far as the finish line, it was a young Norwegian runner who impressed the experts. – She is going to piss everyone off, Justyna Kowalczyk said of Margrethe Bergane in March this year. And in minus 16 degrees, the Norwegian 22-year-old showed the contours of what the Pole was talking about. IMPRESSED THE EXPERTS: 22-year-old Margrethe Bergane. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Unge Bergane already impressed Kowalczyk last season. And on Sunday’s 20 kilometers, she also impressed several experts with her offensive attitude on the trail. – She has zero respect. I am moved inside when I see this. She is offensive, says Viaplay’s expert Hans Christer Holund. Bergane struggled for a long time against strong Swedes and Americans, but in the sprint it was too tough for the Norwegian 22-year-old who plays for Konnerud IL. Sweden’s Moa Ilar took the win, ahead of Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan. Lotta Udnes Weng was the best Norwegian in fourth place, while Bergane ended up number 11. – Now you stretch the field After six and a half kilometers a tight group began to define itself at the front, led by American Jessie Diggins. There were also Astrid Øyre Slind, Heidi Weng, Lotta Udnes Weng and Anne Kjersti Kalvå close behind. But the Swedish women also made a strong showing, with both Frida Karlsson, Moa Ilar and Ebba Andersson in the tight group. And it didn’t take many more kilometers before Karlsson and Andersson, together with Diggins and Slind, among others, increased the pace even further. But close behind were several Norwegians, including Margrethe Bergane, just four seconds behind the lead halfway through the race. THE TOP: Norwegians, Swedes, Germans and an American in the top group. Photo: Jussi Nukari / NTB And from starting number 30, Bergane was suddenly in the front after 11.1 kilometres. – Beautiful Margrethe, now you stretch the field, coach Stig Rune Kveen shouted from the sidelines when the 22-year-old took the lead. After gaining a little stretch in the field, Bergane let the Swedes control the pace. At the 14 kilometer mark, Bergane and the two Swedes had a few seconds gap to the rest of the field. With 2.5 kilometers to go, Bergane led the way, with three Swedes in Karlsson, Andersson and Ilar in full swing. Diggins got into trouble with less than two kilometers to go, when she had to get a new pole and also lost her glove. – She gets a new staff. It’s not a crisis for Diggins, but that bar is way too high. Now she gets a new staff. Ouch, ouch, ouch, it was not good for Diggins, says Aukland. Tight for space Before Sunday’s 20 kilometres, the trail became a hot topic in 16 minus-degree cold Ruka. – The route is narrow. It’s as far as they can go two abreast, says news’s cross-country expert Fredrik Aukland. In several places on the trail, it is possible to be three in width at most, while on some of the slopes, as Aukland said, it is so narrow that two in width is the maximum. Viaplay’s expert Hans Christer Holund said that it was going to be a “little fight”. Receives a very special greeting from Ingrid in Demenskoret 01:03 This is how much the cross-country stars must have to participate in Maskorama 01:07 Cursed Niskanen after Norway victory – Pictures from Viaplay 00:39 Absurd scenes when two runners break the pole – Pictures from Viaplay 00: 28 Show more
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– She has zero respect – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
