Skate specialist Tore Rud Hofstad ended in fourth place in the 10-kilometer freestyle race during the Norwegian season premiere at Beitostolen last weekend. He had hoped for a spot on the podium
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– It was about as expected. I had hoped to be on the podium and was 5-6 seconds from that. That’s not very far away, explains Hofstad after his 4th place.
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Hofstad feels that the race went as expected and says that he never been able to ski very fast in an opening race at Beitostolen in the past either. Regardless of that, it was harder to go fast than he had hoped for.
 – I couldn’t ski quite as fast as I had hoped, said Hofstad
 – But that’s OK; I need to race more in order to ski faster. I will try hard to do better in the skate World Cup race in two weeks, explained Tore
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![](http://images.fasterskier.com/oldsitearchive/upload/041118image001.jpg width=440 height=361.77777777778 border=1><br />
<BR><font size=1 face=verdana>Tore Ruud Hofstad skied in to 4th place . Photo: Erland Lundby</font></center><BR><br />
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Hofstad was in the 10-kilometer beaten by two Biathlon skiers and teammate Frode Estil who placed third. Tore was not surprised that the biathlon skiers stole the show in the opening race. </p>
<p> – I was not surprised. I expected that they would ski fast and I think it’s good that we have many that can skate fast in Norway. We need that. It’s also to my advantage, said Hofstad.<br />
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His next goal is to ski fast in the World Cup in Kuusamo in two weeks. That’s when the fight for World Championship start spots starts. </p>
<p> – It’s the World Cup that counts and qualifying for Worlds is important. That what’s on my mind now, ski fast in World Cup, says Hofstad. He doesn’t want to think too much about the World Championship yet.</p>
<p>– That’s still far away and first I need to qualify. It’s no point talking about goals for Worlds before you have even qualified. That’s how I’m trying to think, said Hofstad.<br />
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<p>Source: Langrenn.com</p>
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