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Last year the theme for much of the women’s sprint season was whether anyone from team Sweden could defeat Kristine Stavaas Skistad (NOR). However, this year, things will be different, for at least a while. Sweden still presents an incredibly formidable team of Sprinters, with Emma Ribom, Johanna Hagstroem, Jonna Sundling, Linn Svahn, and Maja Dahlqvist headlining the Sprint roster and creating the most powerful women’s Sprint team in cross-country. But the rivalry with Skistad will have to wait as she is sidelined from abdominal surgery, and a date for her return to racing is uncertain. So, the duel between Sweden and Skistad is delayed for now with no one knowing what Skistad’s form will be like when she returns. Expectations for today’s Sprint were further complicated when Sweden lost some of its firepower early in the day when Emma Ribom withdrew before the start of the heats after having qualified 18th.
The bad luck for Norway and Sweden created an opening for other teams which America’s Jessie Diggins, Rosie Brennan, and Julia Kern would have loved to fill. But it was a tough day for the American women with only two qualifying for the heats with Diggins qualifying in 27th and Brennan in 28th.
The first day of Sprinting is a big of an adjustment. “What is different is the technique on snow,” said Diggins. “I think that becomes one of the biggest things. At this point I’ve had maybe 10-12 hours of Classic skiing on snow. Ruka especially is a course that is super technically demanding … that’s the thing that’s hardest to get used to because it’s so different than roller skiing. You have to do pretty specific motions in order to close down your skis and kick.” She continued that, “I am pretty much where I normally am this point of the year. I really like to work into the year and I really like to work into my fitness, and so right now, I’m not super sharp, and that’s ok. I don’t expect to be. I’m not at all surprised by where I am right now. I think the base fitness is fine and the sharpening will come later. ”
Instead, it was the hometown favorites from Finland who took advantage of the opening day change of pace and qualified seven racers and raised the hometown hopes for a Finnish woman to be standing on the podium at the end of the day. The Finnish onslaught was noted by Brennan. “It seems the Finns were flying this morning. I think they had some incredibly good skis, and that’s really cool to see. It’s been a little while since they’ve had a super-super strong team, so that’s awesome, and it was really great to see. Homefield advantage is always fun.”
In the end form was maintained, but with different characters playing key roles as Sweden yet again found a way to the top of the podium with Johanna Hagstroem taking her first World Cup individual victory. But there was renewed optimism in the Norwegian camp as Norway found a new hope in Sprinting with Julie Myhre coming in second, Maja Dahlqvist (SWE) finished third.
Other American racers were Julia Kern in 41st, Renae Anderson 42nd, Erin Bianco 43rd, Alayna Sonnesyn 44th, and Lauren Jortberg 48th.
Kern was happy to just be in Ruka given the back injury she’s been fighting. “Qualifying is always really challenging here and I’ve never really had much buffer room. I’m proud of how I skied. I’m just really psyched to be at the start line right now. “Kern revealed that since her back injury, “it has been just a battle to be able to ski and train, and do everyday things. So, I’m happy to be at the start, and obviously wanting a lot more. “She acknowledged that she is uncertain about her fitness. “I always race into form, especially given a disruptive fall of training. Ruka is such a special beast … and from the first to second weekends, things can change a lot.”
The only Canadian competitor today was Katherine Stewart-Jones: she finished 45th.
Ruka is a technical and physically challenging course with a large hill close to the finish which usually plays an outsized role in determining the winners. At least today, the skiers wouldn’t have to contend with the difficult at freezing waxing conditions they faced yesterday, as today’s temperatures were in the mid-teens at the start of the competition.
The Quarterfinals
Rosie Brennan (USA) was in the second heat and would face the Sprint champion from last year Linn Svahn, and the formidable Victoria Carl (GER). Brennan was boxed out early at the start and was pushed toward the back of the pack immediately. But in the blink of an eye, she was catapulted into third place when the three leading skiers tangled in the first turn, including pre-race favorite, and last year’s Sprint champion Linn Svahn, and went crashing off the course. Suddenly the race was down to three skiers. Brennan immediately took advantage going to the front of the remaining pack of three. But she couldn’t hold that lead going up the final hill and ended up battling for second with Carl. Carl was able to glide away from Brennan going into the stadium finishing second with Anne Kyllonen (FIN) winning the heat. Brennan finished third. Her time was not fast enough to qualify as a lucky loser and after only the second heat, her day would end. “It was definitely scary to watch those three girls said Brennan.” She added that, “I saw Linn take flight and I was quite worried that they were severely hurt so I had a moment of wondering whether I should stop or not because people’s safety is more important than a ski race.” She then decided to push the pace as much as she could. “Not for any other reason than just wanting to continue to open up my body and make a hard effort and maybe take some sprint out of somebody, because I know I don’t have the speed that I want right now.”
Jessie Diggins was in the fourth heat. It was in a very competitive field with Nadine Faehndrich (SUI), Laura Gimmler (GER), Katharina Hennig (GER) and Frida Karlsson (FIN) in the field. The field stayed together early with Diggins looking to have quick skis as she had to stand up early on to avoid running up on her competitors. The group stayed together up the first challenging hill with Diggins keeping an outside line. Faehndrich then pushed to the lead with Diggins up toward the front of the pack. Going into the start of the final hill all the skiers were still grouped together as the final charge began. But Diggins couldn’t keep up with the pace and was pushed off the back. She dropped back even more toward the end of the race and finished sixth. Her day was also over. She attributed her inability to keep pace as being, “a technique and ski decision thing on the final hill.” She continued that, “I made the mistake of not asking for extra kick, I had tested my skis and I thought I was in a good place with them, but in hindsight I needed more kick.” Diggins said that the lack of kick caused her to ski “hesitantly, tiptoeing up the hills to not slip.” Diggins took full responsibility for the lack of kick wax. “That’s on me. It’s important for me to communicate with my tech. I own the fact that I thought I had enough kick, and I was wrong with that.”
The Semi Finals
Jasmi Joensuu (FIN) continued to keep Finnish hopes alive as she took off to an early lead, but racers quickly consolidated and they were one big pack going into the first hill in what quickly turned into a very tactical race. Sundling was able to put in a last second sprint to take the win along with Dahlquist who finished second. Joensuu hung on for third and would keep Finnish hopes alive by advancing to the finals. But so far, the Swedes had been able to overcome the Finn’s numeric advantage and were beginning to assert themselves.
In the second heat it was an unusual position for Johanna Hagstroem as she was the only Swedish skier. But the lack of teammates didn’t deter her. Going into the final hill Hagstroem displayed a preview of what fans would see in the finals and put in a huge burst of speed to shoot to the front. All day long, Hagstroem looked like she had something extra to offer on the big final hill and she worked her advantage perfectly throughout the heats. Her only mistake was slowing up too much coming into the finish line where she was joined by Coletta Rydzek (GER) in what became a photo-finish. But Hagstroem was still able to eke out the win.
The Finals
Sweden fielded three skiers in the finals with Sundling, Dahlqvist, and Hagstroem qualifying. After its initial surge of qualifying seven skiers, Finland was down to only one skier remaining; Jasmi Joensuu. She joined Norway’s Julie Myhre, and Rydzek.
The Swedish trio went to the front early with Rydzek gamely hanging with them. Things again turned very tactical with all the skiers slowing down on the first climb with no racer wanting to lead. It wasn’t until the big hill at the final that things opened with Hagstroem putting in another incredible burst which ultimately catapulted her to victory.
It was a special day for Hagstroem as she took the victory which was the first win of her career. Julie Myhre (NOR) hung on for second with Dahlqvist finishing third. Myhre’s podium had to provide team Norway with some level of solace giving them hope that someone would step up in Skistad’s absence.
After the race Hagstroem said that, “I cant believe it. It feels crazy.” She continued that “I had a really good day. I like Ruka and love the last hill.” She explained that as part of her strategy she likes to go outside of the track and run on her skis. “I kept thinking don’t screw it up. I’m in shock.”
The incredible promise of the beginning of the day for the Finns turned sour when after qualifying seven racers, none of them could make it to the podium.
It was also a rough day for team USA who will hope to rebound next weekend in Lillehammer, Norway when the Sprints will be in the Freestyle technique and hopefully their fortunes will improve.
Ruka Women’s Classic Sprint Results
Ruka Women’s Classic Sprint QUALIFICATION
