New contenders for the podium emerge at Melchsee Frutt
Jan 31, 2024·TelemarkMartina Wyss (SUI) was dominant at Melchsee Frutt (SUI). The Swiss athlete secured victories in all three races for her first Telemark World Cup, as she begins her ski cross career this year with the Swiss team, just like her compatriot Alexi Mosset (SUI) who also claimed victory on Saturday in the first parallel sprint of the season. Telemark and Skicross evidently complement each other well!
In the Classic race, Martina Wyss (SUI) and Noé Claye (FRA) impressively triumphed, both achieving zero penalties. This was quite a feat considering the length and technicality of the course - by far the most challenging classic on the circuit. Augustine Carliez (FRA) and Jasmin Taylor (GBR) rounded off the podium for women, while for men, it was a French sweep at the top with Noé Claye, Yoann Rostolan, and Elie Nabot.
For the season's first parallel sprint, Laly Chaucheprat (FRA) secured her first podium in this discipline, finishing second behind Martina Wyss (SUI) and ahead of Norwegian Goril Strom Eriksen, who took third. Among the men, two Frenchmen followed Swiss Alexi Mosset: Noé Claye and Alexis Page.
A new outsider emerged among the men over the first two days of racing. Young Swedish athlete Alvin Noaksson narrowly missed the podium in both the classic and the first parallel sprint. He could potentially disrupt the hierarchy soon and pose a challenge to France, as could Italian Raphaël Mahlknecht, although he lagged behind somewhat in this stage.
![Noé Claye (FRA), Alexi Mosset (SUI), Alexis Page (FRA) and Alvin Noaksson (SWE)](https://assets.fis-ski.com/f/252177/3f365c09c7/_parallel_sprint1_podium_m.jpg/m/2880x0/smart)
The second parallel sprint of the season, held on Sunday, also showcased some outstanding performances. Martina Wyss (SUI) claimed victory again, this time ahead of young Swiss skier Léa Lathion, who secured her first World Cup podium. Augustine Carliez (FRA) completed the podium. Once again, the men's parallel sprint saw three French athletes dominating, with Elie Nabot emerging as the clear winner, followed by Noé Claye and Alexis Page. The level of competition was exceptionally high during this race, with no room for error on an icy and fast track.
![Léa Lathion (SUI) and Martina Wyss (SUI)](https://assets.fis-ski.com/f/252177/997f5a7217/melchseewc_parallel2_8_lowres_-40fistelemark.jpg/m/2880x0/smart)
After the Swiss stage, Noé Claye (FRA) takes the lead over his compatriot Elie Nabot in the overall standings. Among the women, Jasmin Taylor (GBR) remains the leader.
Following the cancellation of the races in Saint Gervais les Bains (FRA), the next stop of the Telemark World Cup will be in Aal, Norway, where the Norwegians are eagerly anticipated.