COC-M: Kokslien makes it two in a row in Steamboat
Aug 31, 2018·Nordic Combined
Overcast skies and warmer conditions in Steamboat Springs had little effect on the podium on the second day of Continental Cup action in the US. Once again, Mikko Kokslien of Norway claimed victory in the second COC of the season. Hugo Buffard of France turned in the fastest time for the second day in a row, moving from 25th place all the way up to second. And Truls Soenstehagen Johansen of Norway found himself on the podium for the second time in two days, placing third.
Conditions for jumping were overcast and calm to start the day, though a slight breeze began to pick up as the round went on. Norwegian skier Harald Johnas Riiber won the jumping round, recording the longest jump so far of the weekend at 74 meters on the HS68. Yuto Nakamura of Japan was second after the jumping, with a jump of 71 meters. And American Ben Loomis finished the jumping in third.
Day two on the cross-country course ended in quite similarly to the previous day’s results. The daytime race meant warmer conditions for the 10K cross country race, though the snow remained relatively dry. Kokslien, who began the race in 8th place, 30 seconds back from the leader, was quick to close the gap. By the midway point in the race, Kokslien was alone in the front, and he was never challenged for the lead.
France’s Hugo Buffard had another great day on the course, passing 23 skiers on his way to second place, finishing just seven seconds behind the Norwegian. And Truls Soenstehagen Johansen of Norway turned in the second fastest time of the day, moving up from 20th to third. David Welde (GER) finished 4th, moving up from 16th. Ben Loomis (USA) finished 5th for the second day in a row, just beating out Thomas Joebstl (AUT), who was 6th, in a photo finish.
Sunday morning will bring the third day of action in the Continental Cup triple. For the third day in a row, USA Nordic will be streaming live for all Nordic Combined fans to enjoy.
Alex Glueck / USA Nordic
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