– It is “outstanding” by Simen. I am also impressed by Harald, says national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum. He stood a little way up the hill at the ski stadium and did not get to experience the dramatic finish at close range. Over the radio, he heard that Østberg Amundsen was suddenly only five seconds behind his teammate at the finish line. – I’m glad I didn’t stand closer, it was more exciting than we had thought, says Nossum. GOLD: Simen Hegstad Krüger won his second WC gold in Planica during the 15 kilometer free technique. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Predicted five times Norwegian Before the race, it was all about which Norwegian would win. Was it Simen Hegstad Krüger, Sjur Røthe, Hans Christer Holund, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo or Harald Østberg Amundsen who was to become today’s golden boy? The experts agreed that the five Norwegians were also the five biggest favourites, and there was speculation as to whether Norway would not only cover the podium, but take all the top positions in the WC race. – It has never happened before, told news’s cross-country expert Fredrik Aukland. It didn’t work out that way, but it wasn’t about Norwegian roars of jubilation and drama between the mountains in Planica. Demonstration of power by Krüger Krüger was raw and took gold in the 30 kilometer ski swap earlier in the championship. The 29-year-old has really hit top form for the WC, and looked unstoppable on the 15-kilometer distance as well. Halfway through the race he had gained over 20 seconds to Holund and co. – It’s a master’s race he brings out here, said news’s commentator Torgeir Bjørn. – It’s huge from Krüger. He puts so much pressure on the others. It is outclassing, said Aukland. Krüger continued to pound through the Slovenian forest, giving his competitors no chance to retake the lead. But then Østberg Amundsen appeared. Created gold thrillers He went out on a later start number than the rest of the Norwegians, and really picked up steam in the WC race. He was the only one who was able to occasionally match the speed of Krüger, and suddenly it was a battle for the gold. After 9.6 kilometres, Amundsen was only 7.6 seconds behind Krüger, but it didn’t quite last. At the finish he was 5.3 seconds behind and took the silver. SILVER: Harald Østberg Amundsen. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Swedish challenger William Poromaa was picked as just about the only one who could split up the five Norwegians. The Swede kept up usefully initially and was closest to Krüger after five kilometres. In the previous World Cup, it was Norwegian three times, even with Russians on the starting line. That time, five Norwegians finished among the top seven on the results lists. Poromaa was keen to get Sweden on the podium today. He eventually had to lose that match, but the Swede managed to spoil the Norwegian five times. Poromaa finished fifth and pushed Røthe down to sixth place.
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Simen Hegstad Krüger towards new gold in WC thriller – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
