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Team Norway arrived in Falun, Sweden, with its roster fully loaded: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, Harald Oestberg Amundsen, Paal Golberg, Erik Valnes, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, and Simen Hegstad Krueger (the current FIS Distance leader). But it was Finland’s Iivo Niskanen who would claim his tenth career World Cup victory with a dominant performance over the 10 k Classic Interval Start. Norway didn’t go home empty-handed, as the remaining podium spots were filled by Klaebo and Valnes.
Canada’s Antoine Cyr delivered an impressive result in 15th, just ahead of USA’s Gus Schumacher in 17th. Other North American finishers included Remi Drolet 22nd, JC Schoonmaker 23rd, Olivier Leveille 35th, Thomas Stephen 38th, Zanden McMullen 41st, Will Koch 45th, Zak Ketterson 48th, Luke Jager 66th, Julian Smith 71st.
“I think Alaska was just a good mental relax away from the travel and stuff,” said Schumacher. “And the farther I get away from that Tour sickness the better I’m feeling.”
“In the past I haven’t really had the good feelings or luxury to really dial in my champs lead-up,” continued Schumacher. “I think I haven’t had stability in my career on the World Cup long enough to really execute a strong peaking plan yet. It feels safer to hit a few hard races leading up but not overdoing it. For example, just two races this weekend and in Cogne to keep the energy high while also getting sharper than I’d be getting just training!”
Falun 10 k Classic Interval Start
Mika Vermeulen (AUT) described the unavoidable strategy employed by any skiers hoping to reach the podium in Falun’s World Cup 10 k: “Go full gas from the start,” Vermeulen grinned. “And hope it works out!”
Team USA Coach, Matt Whitcomb, described a similar strategy in pre-race interviews, while also issuing a gentle warning to those who might go out too fast.
“You’re going to start seeing splits come in around 3 k where the race starts unfolding and starts getting interesting, said Whitcomb. “As every team and every athlete has experienced, Not all the first splits through that checkpoint will be the first at the finish.”
Niskanen started 46th, taking over the early lead with each on-course split. He would never be challenged throughout the day, posting the fastest times at every checkpoint. In Falun, those Norwegian contenders who so often crowd all other nations off of the podium were sprinkled in among an international top ten including Vermeulen, Hugo Lapalus (FRA), Ristomatti Hakola (FIN) and an early lead produced by a rejuvenated Calle Halfvarsson (SWE). World Cup distance leader, Krueger, seemed to be dealing with slow skis, as his splits left him out of the top 20 by mid-race.
Niskanen stormed to victory 12.9 seconds ahead of Klaebo (who is likely to be quite pleased with his second place finish). Valnes—the every-race iron man of the Norwegian team—was a close third, less than five seconds behind Klaebo.
“Tricky conditions today,” said Niskanen in post-race interviews. “Quite windy. snow a bit, and a lot of skiing outside the Classic lines.” He alluded to his needing to avoid receiving another yellow card (his first being earned in recent World Cup races), though that penalty will expire before he arrives at the World Championships in Trondheim.
“Hopefully I will stay healthy until World Championships,” Niskanen said. “It will be exciting games.”
Complete Falun 10 k Classic Interval Start 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.
