With recent poor results in the Holmenkollen 50-km Frode Estil was far from confident before last Sunday’s 15-km World Cup race in Lahti. But he won anyhow.
Sunday’s victory was Frode Estil’s second this year. The first one came in Otepää, Estonia on January 10th. The following weekend he got second in Nove Mesto, but it since has been harder to measure up for Estil. Perhaps the 70-km long Marcialonga affected his good shape and the following Norwegian Championships, but Estil does not regret skiing the famous Italian marathon race. His only good result since, however, was in the 15 km classical race in UmeÃ¥, Sweden.
The 50-km Holmenkollen race the weekend before last was very hard, with Frode ending up in 34th place, seven minutes behind the winner. “I was extremely disappointed with my results, and became insecure about my skiing. My ambitions were much higher than what I accomplished”.
According to himself, he was therefore not one of the favorites for the next World Cup race in Lahti.
“I would not have bet on myself. I was also surprised by the result, but these things make it even more fun. I would have put my money on Lukas Bauer, who has skied very well lately, or on Veerpalu. Obviously, the 50-km effort in Holmenkollen did something for me. Sometimes tough times make changes happen,” explains Estil.
 that I was fighting for a victory.”</p>
<p>He won – 15 seconds ahead of Estonian Jaak Mae. Winning the last classical style race of the season was important.<br />
“It was important to win here. This gives me a good feeling for the post-season” says Estil.</p>
<p>This is perhaps a feeling Estil needs after an up-down season.<br />
“It swings too much from good to bad. I have not been consistent enough”.<br />
Part of the reason may have been illness just before the season started.<br />
“I was sick a bit too long, but I have years of training, so it should not affect me as much. I don’t like to focus too much on the illness”, says Estil.</p>
<p>The last World Cup race of the season is the 30-km skate race in Pragelato, Torino.<br />
“ I hope to score some World Cup points, and don’t want to set too high expectations. Currently I am in third place on the overall World Cup distance points list (all races except for Sprint races), and hope to stay in this position.”</p>
<p>The last big race of the season is the 50-km in the Norwegian Championship. “I look forward to another 50-km, the long races are the most fun of all”</p>
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