Homerun for Iivo Niskanen at Ruka Nordic
Nov 27, 2021·Cross-Country
The first Distance competition of the World Cup season showed the first international comparison in this important Olympic season.
Iivo Niskanen (FIN) managed the frosty temperatures at -17° C well, that were reported from the course. With spectators being allowed back around the competition, cheering crowds warmed up the atmosphere for the 29 year-old. Niskanen was ready to show his current best form and took the lead within the first lap, 3km into the race which he enlarged to 8.3 seconds at the finish line.
The time to beat was set by Alexey Chervotkin (RUS), who celebrated his third podium spot at a 15k C within a year. The 26 year-old Russian will start with his 8 second gap to Niskanen in Sunday’s Pursuit.
The third spot for the podium was a close call between Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) and Erik Valnes (NOR). Only 1.1 seconds separate the two 25 year-old’s. The two time Overall World Cup winner Bolshunov claimed the last podium spot, reporting back after having everything else but an ideal summer preparation before this important season. With an illness, a bike accident, problems with his Achilles tendon and a major surgery due to an infection in his tooth gum just over one month ago, the performance of Alexander Bolshunov is still impressive.
An outstanding Distance result was also achieved by 23 year-old Canadian Antoine Cyr with hitting the 11th rank, 23 seconds off the podium.
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