Falun is the place for Bolshunov to win
Jan 30, 2021·Cross-CountryThe second race day at Svenska Skidspelen in Falun (SWE) awaited with a 15km Mass start in Classic technique. The mens race was up first and saw the front runners from Norway and Russia set a fast pace. With three rounds to ski, no one pulled away from the leading group. After 8km, a fall occurred in which also yesterdays winner Alexander Bolshunov got tangled up and was set back in the field. As no one took clear action on the lead, Bolshunov managed to return back in the final stretch of the race and took up pace. Pål Golberg (NOR) had calculated the tactics of the Russian and remained on his heels but missed the final attack of the Russian to take the full momentum into the final downhill when his pole briefly slippedon a v-board. "It was a combination of too much adrenaline and I got tired as well so it was a bit unlucky but of course I am still satisfied with my performance today," stated Golberg. Third in line waited Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (NOR). After the fast downhill into the stadium, the podium spots were fought for between the trio which Alexander Bolshunov managed to decide to his favor. Klæbo returns to the podium on the second spot, for the first time since his absence and the third place was taken by Golberg.
![Photo finish by Klæbo and Golberg for rank 2 and 3](https://assets.fis-ski.com/f/252177/b0c4dd55ec/whatsapp-image-2021-01-30-at-15-46-42.jpeg/m/2880x0/smart)
Update on Andrew Young (GBR):
Andrew Young fell in todays 15km C Mst in Falun (SWE) in the Sprint downhill and crashed through a fence. He received immediate first aid and was driven to the hospital in Falun where first examinations showed no fracture. Andrew Young will undergo further checks in medical care.
For the remaining duration of the mens competition, the section of the course where the fall happened was fixed. For the following womens competition, extra pads were placed expanded by a safety net.
Extra safety precautions with full padding of the downhill section and safety B-net in the outrun section of the Sprint downhill are currently being installed by the LOC for tomorrows Sprint competition.