Grand season finals for the Men's Distance skiers
Mar 12, 2022·Cross-Country
Men’s 15km
For the World Cup final distance competition, athletes managed to step on the podium, who were no strangers to top ranks in the World Cup athletes but had a hard time to reach those goals in the last seasons.
Didrik Tønseth was clearly the strongest in todays’s 15km. He claimed his maiden World Cup victory in Free technique in this distance +9 seconds ahead of Calle Halfvarsson.
Halfvarsson, who had high hopes for the World Cup finals back in front of full stands and a cheering Swedish crowd, was stoked about reaching the World Cup podium again. It was the first time after four years that he reached the top result in an individual competition.
A completely first introduction to the World Cup podium got Harald Østberg Amundsen. The 23 year-young Norwegian had reached the podium of the World Championships (3rd place in Oberstdorf 15km F) before he reached the World Cup podium but with todays 3rd place, this career milestone was set as well.
Men’s Overall World Cup Standing
With 1375 World Cup points ahead of the final World Cup weekend, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo had ensured himself the Overall World Cup victory of the season 2021/22 in advance.
Last season’s Overall and Distance World Cup winner, Alexander Bolshunov had left off 497 points behind the Norwegian but due to the current regulations, had no chance to collect further points. The 25 year-old had to finish his season therefore in second place.
Iivo Niskanen was 160 points off from Bolshunov in third place and with only one race to go, he was also out of chances to catch up anohter place. With a strong final race, Niskanen finally ends his Overall season performances in third place of the standing.
Men’s Distance World Cup Standing
Niskanen, Bolshunov and Klæbo were also the athletes who led the Distance World Cup standing ahead of the final 15km race. Last weekends winner of the prestigious 50km at Holmenkollen, Martin Nyenget Løwstrøm, was eyeing to reach the World Cup podium but could not reach the set points of Bolshunov or Klæbo.
Iivo Niskanen takes the victory in the Men’s Distance World Cup with three victories and two more podium finishes this season. “I have definitely had the best season of my career so far,” said the 30 year-old after being involved in the series of ceremonies – from Overall World Cup, to Distance World Cup, as well as the Audi E-tron bonus point winner.
In second place, Alexander Bolshunov also takes in the second place in the discipline Standing with five points ahead of Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.
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