Soemskar and Gustafsson win mass start in exciting finish

Swedish Linn Soemskar and Victor Gustafsson outsprinted their closest rivals on the uphill of the finish straight, securing Sweden gold medals in free technique distance with mass start at FIS Roller Skiing World Championships in Latvian city Madona. The same did Russians Alexander Grigoriev and Kristina Kuskova in junior category. Big surprise provided local Raimo Vigants, with his third place securing Latvias first medal at World Championships in senior category. Meanwhile unexpectedly the biggest stars of these championships and winners of Thursdays classic distance Alexander Bolshunov and Natalia Nepryaeva didn’t get medals, finishing both only in 9th place.

Second day in a row competition took place in the city center of Madona. 35 men from 13 nations competed in 20km distance, going 3,3km lap six times.  Leading group of 14 athletes remained together until end of last lap and medal winners had to be decided in finish sprint. Last year winner of this distance of World Cup in Madona and Thursdays bronze medallist in 20km classic Victor Gustafsson was fastest in final straight and won his first gold medal. Mateo Tanel lost to Swede 0,3 seconds and with his second place secured Italy one medal also on the third day in Madona. First year in senior group Latvian Raimo Vigants overwhelmingly surpassed even the greatest expectations and, by crossing the finish line as third 0.5 seconds behind winner, earned unbelievable bronze for host country. Three Olympic medallists from Russia – Eugeniy Dementiev, Alexey Chervotkin, Alexander Bolshunov, who all three were in front of leading pack, when it was only 250m to go, finished accordingly in 5th, 7th and 9th places.

In women's 16,5km distance from 22 women, representing ten nations, on the last meters of distance remained five, who battled for victory. Linn Soemskar showed her strength of this season and finishing abilities, defending her title from 2017 and winning second gold in two days. It was World Cup leader’s third medal in Madona and totally seventh gold at FIS Roller Skiing World Championships. Two silver medallist from 2017 Slovakian Alena Prochazkova finally got a medal at these championships also, and once again silver. Meanwhile Sandra Schuetzova for the first time in history were among best three at World Championships, earning also first medal in those three days for Czech Republic and leaving classic distance silver medallist Lucia Scardoni from Italy half second behind the podium. Natalia Nepryaeva was long time in front of leading group, but broke the pole in the middle of last lap and thus spectators unfortunately missed anticipated her duel with Soemskar at finish straight.

What couldn’t do Russian senior team members, did juniors, giving at least some moments of joy for most successful team at these championships. Alexander Grigoriev after two silvers finally won gold, pulling away from leading pack some 1,4km before finish and being fastest among 31 competitors in 20km. Now he is the only male athlete managing to earn podium places in first three disciplines. Meanwhile first two days winners – Swedish Johan Ekberg (20km classic) and Russian Dmitry Karakosov (Sprint) – in the tight finish sprint grabbed accordingly silver and bronze. Medallists from classic distance of Russian junior women team – Anastasia Faleeva, Kristina Kuskova, Arina Bylinko, once again showed superiority and decided podium places in finish sprint. Bylinko once again was third, but Kuksova this time beat Kuskova and earned gold.

On Sunday FIS Roller Skiing World Championships in Madona will end with the Team Sprint.