Ruka Nordic (FIN): Dramatic final in the last race of the weekend

On the final race day of Ruka Nordic - and the first COOP FIS Cross Country World Cup weekend of the new season, ended in a dramatic fight for the top spots. A 20km F Pursuit was on schedule  and with tight gaps from yesterdays 10km C, exciting races were expected.

Called up to the jury room

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo went out 20 seconds before Paal Golberg followed with a group of successors and already after the first lap, they had caught up. It was a group of 10-12 athlets who was skiing the last 15 km togheter. In the final uphill into the stadium, the fight for the top spots was on and Klæbo had to defend his leading position strongly against Golberg and an estonishing fresh Federico Pellegrino, who usually shows his strength in Sprints and never before has had such a pole position in the final stretches of a distance race. However, also Calle Halfvarsson wanted to take the lead and leaped past his contenders up the hill. The finish line was crossed first by Klæbo, Golberg and Calle Halvarsson - however, the latter got called up to the jury room to review his move. As he had clearly stepped out of the marked course and thus acted against the rules, he got disqualified. Thus, the Italian Pellegrino who ended in 4th place moved up onto the podium and celebrated his maiden Distance podium in Ruka.

Men 20km Pursuit:

1. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo

2. Pål Golberg

3. Federico Pellegrino

You can see the rest of the results here.

Next up is Lillehammer, you can see the whole calender her.