COC-L: Stefaniya Nadymova takes inaugural win

Russia’s Stefaniya Nadymova has taken the win of the inaugural Ladies’ Continental Cup competition in Rena, Norway. Nadymova fought until the end with Japan’s Ayane Miyazaki but proved to be 0.6 seconds faster in a sprint for the finish line. Germany’s Jenny Nowak reached the third place, +16.6 seconds behind Nadymova.

After the PCR had to be used, Nadymova went out on the 5 km track first and had a head start of ten seconds on Nowak after a jump of 104.5 metres. Nowak, who had delivered 101.5 metres had four seconds of time advantage on Miyazaki (103.5 m). Veronica Gianmoena followed at a substantial time behind of one minute and 12 seconds.

In the race, Miyazaki did not back down and with the fastest race time of 16:13.5 for the 5 km, closed the gap to the leader Nadymova. The Russian proved to have more power left in the end, however and took the win. Jenny Nowak had to concede defeat to the faster skier Miyazaki but claimed the third place with over a minute of advantage on the second Japanese athlete, Yura Murakami. Murakami had the second fastest skiing time and snatched the fourth place away from Veronica Gianmoena, who finished fifth. Sophia Maurus (GER) ended up on the sixth place, Gyda Westvold Hansen was the best Norwegian on rank seven, and the Top Ten were completed by Simona Weinlichova (CZE), Thea Øihaugen and Hanna Midtsundstad (both NOR).