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When it comes to success in cross country relay finishes, national nordic pride is a vital concern in only those countries where national nordic pride flourishes: Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Germany (and, of course, Russia if they were allowed to enter World Cup races in 2024). For the most part, relays conducted within World Cup seasons are simply rehearsals for the more consequential relays that occur every few years in World Championships and Olympic Games. The USA—especially the women’s team—has long pursued success in relays, and generations of America’s best cross country skiers have devoted considerable time, effort, and race energy to the pursuit of relay podiums (usually to little avail). This weekend, the coaches of Team USA seemed finally to appreciate the value of rest and recovery above the potential value of relay success; the USA fielded no team for the 4 x 7.5 relay in Oberhof, Germany. With Jessie Diggins (USA) and Rosie Brennan (USA) standing first and third, respectively, in Overall World Cup standings—and with no individual World Cup points at stake today—it made sense to prioritize their potential in the season-long World Cup race over a chance (a slim chance) for otherwise-irrelevant relay glory.
Norway was fourth earlier this season in the relay in Gaellivare, Sweden, a performance that on-air announcers described as a “national disaster.” That was the first time since 2001 that Norwegian women had failed to claim a podium spot in a world-class relay. In Leg 1 of Oberhof’s relay, Norway’s lead off skier—Kristin Austgulen Fosnaes—seemed to struggle with skis that were both slow on the glide and slippery on the kick. It was an inauspicious start to what would prove another disastrous day for Team Norway (Fosnaes, Mathilde Myrvold, Margrethe Bergane, Tiril Udnes Weng) who would finish the day in fifth.
Ultimately, Sweden I (Linn Svahn, Frida Karlsson, Ebba Andersson, Jonna Sundling) skied purposefully away from the field to secure the win, followed by Germany I (Katherine Sauerbrey, Katharina Hennig, Pia Fink, Victoria Carl) and Finland (Johanna Matintalo, Anne Kyllonen, Krista Parmakoski, Jasmi Joensuu).
Team Canada finished tenth on the day. Team USA did not field a team in Oberhof’s World Cup relay.
4 x 7.5 k Relay
In the absence of certain stars from various countries, Sweden seemed likely to control the pace throughout the day. In the opening classic leg, it was the two teams from Sweden that forced the pace, followed by Finland, Norway, and Germany. From the very beginning of Leg 1, most skiers sought out the faster snow between the set tracks on the gliding sections. Many skiers also sought additional traction by exiting the tracks in the climbing sections as well. Despite the relentless climbs of the Oberhof course—where each skier would complete three 2.5 k laps—most skiers seemed to prioritize glide over kick. Successfully navigating those conditions, Sweden I, Sweden II, and Finland succeeded in separating themselves from Norway, Germany I, and Germany II.
Near the end of the second scramble lap, Sauerbrey surged away from the other chasers (Germany II being blocked behind a struggling Fosnaes) in an attempt to connect with the leading trio. Svahn accelerated near the end of Leg 1, dropping Ribom and drawing out Matintalo who tripped over her own pole on the final uphill before the stadium. Entering the exchange zone, then, it was Sweden I with a lead of ten seconds, followed by a chase group of three. Sauerbrey had done her job, handing off to Hennig in the company of Sweden II and Finland.
Riding a wave of fitness that saw her win yesterday’s 20 k Classic Mass start—and earn her career-first podium spot in Friday’s Classic sprint—Karlsson quickly began adding time to her advantage over Hennig and the chasers. Norway had fallen back into a larger chase group with Germany II, Canada, Switzerland, and Italy. France dangled off the back in 10th, while Kazakhstan struggled on alone.
Karlsson continued to drive the pace while Hennig began to separate herself from Kyllonen and Henriksson; the field of contenders spread out into solo efforts. Having put 49 seconds into her rivals in her Classic leg, Karlsson enjoyed a lead of nearly a minute as she handed off to Andersson; still with two 7.5 legs remaining, the race results seemed mostly decided.
Andersson extended the Swedish lead to 1:07 by the time she handed off to Sundling for the final leg. Ultimately, Carl made it a bit of a race, erasing 50 seconds of Sweden’s advantage in the final leg to finish less than 20 seconds behind in second place.
Women’s 4 x 7.5 k Relay RESULTS
John Teaford
John Teaford—the Managing Editor of FasterSkier — has been the coach of Olympians, World Champions, and World Record Holders in six sports: Nordic skiing, speedskating, road cycling, track cycling, mountain biking, triathlon. In his long career as a writer/filmmaker, he spent many seasons as Director of Warren Miller’s annual feature film, and Producer of adventure documentary films for Discovery, ESPN, Disney, National Geographic, and NBC Sports.
