RUKA (dpa) – German cross-country skier Katharina Hennig caused a surprise in Ruka, Finland. Over ten kilometers in classic mode, 25-year-old Oberoisenthaler finished third on Saturday and only had to concede defeat to Frida Karlsson (Sweden) and Therese Johaug (Norway). Hennig was just under 1.5 seconds off her preferred discipline on Johaug, who was very dominant over the long distances. Her colleague Victoria Karl came in 11th place.

“I’m so happy. The sleds were great, and I had real rockets under my feet. But I never expected that in my life,” Hennig, exhausted on the floor after crossing the finish line, said later. on ZDF. Hennig explained that she was coping with the cold “very well” at subzero temperatures in Ruka. “No one in the team expected that,” said national coach Peter Schlekenrieder.

Previously, Iivo Niskanen won the 15-kilometer race in men’s classic style. The best German was Jonas Doppler, who achieved half of the Olympic level for Beijing in 15th place.

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Source: DPA