Bolshunov back in the leader chair at Falun 15km F
Jan 29, 2021·Cross-Country
The FIS Cross-Country World Cup has travelled to Sweden to tackle the demanding courses of Falun. Todays individual 10km and 15km was set in Free technique and - with the World Ski Championships coming in sight - all favourites lined up at the start line. Current World Cup leader Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) knew what's waiting for him and how to be successful on the hard course. For the fourth consecutive year, the 24 year-old takes a victory in a distance race in Falun before todays strongest contender Simen Hegstad Krüger of Norway.
Krüger managed to cope with the time set by Bolshunov in the prestigious "Mördarbakken" uphill. Although Bolshunov took the lead at all checkpoints, Simen Hegstad Krüger closed a 10 second gap and kept the race open until the finish. 1.8 seconds behind Bolshunov, Krüger finishes in second place.
On the hunt for the third spot on the podium were the Norwegians Sjur Røthe and Hans Christer Holund. Holund who had set out shortly before Røthe set the marks which Røthe managed to hold on to until he set out for an outstanding finish, where he gained 3 seconds to Holund and was rewarded with the third place.
Top 10 check
6th placed Andrew Mushgrave (GBR) takes his fourth consecutive top-6 result in this season.
In his only third World Cup race, Harald Amundsen Østberg (NOR) hits the top-10 with a fantastic 8th place.
His careers best result in Free technique is taken by Gus Schumacher (USA), with todays 9th place.
