Alliansloppet win for Dahlqvist and Nygaard
Aug 31, 2018·Cross-Country
On Saturday 26th August Trollhättan in Sweden hosted the Alliansloppet, the world's largest roller skiing event. Maja Dahlqvist and Andreas Nygaard secured the victories in the elite 48 km race.
Hard fight to the finish line
The main race over 48 km was carried out on three rounds. Halfway through the race the top group was still nearly 40 men strong. However, numerous sprint scores kept the pace very high. Petter Northug was in the leading group and won two intermediate sprints. However, shortly before the finish he broke tip of his pole and finished in 26th place. In the end, 24 athletes were fighting for the podium places. Andreas Nygaard was able to find the best way to the finish and secured victory ahead of countryman Torgeir Thygesen and Sweden's Karl-Johan Westberg.
Dahlqvist escaped favourites
On the ladies' side Katerina Smutna, Britta Johansson Norgren and Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes were among the top favorites for victory. But it was Maja Dahlqvist who was the strongest in the end. The silver medallist from the FIS Roller Skiing World Championships just a few days ago and medalist at U23 World Championship in cross-country skiing was able to get away. Second place went to Maria Nordström, third place to the Czech Katerina Smutna.
