Cross-country skiing: Maria Hartz Melling reigns supreme in the women’s race
It was in spring-like conditions that the skate sprint of the Scandinavian cross-country skiing cup took place this Friday on the slopes of Gålå (Norway). After the qualifying rounds won earlier by Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen and Lars Heggen, the finals took place at the end of the morning.
And it was the women cross-country skiers who were the first to compete for victory. In an all-Norwegian final, it was Maria Hartz Melling who came out on top. In her favourite format, the Scandinavian did her utmost to beat her compatriot Julie Bjervig Drivenes by just a tenth.
Behind this leading duo was Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen. Winner of the prologue a few minutes earlier, the 19-year-old confirmed her fine form. Her compatriots Mina Sofie Kjæraas Moland, Helene Marie Fossesholm and Maiken Min Midtskogen completed the top 6.
On the men’s side, the attraction of the day was Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen. Not selected for the biathlon World Cup finals, the Norwegian took advantage of a weekend close to home to try his hand at the neighbouring discipline. An excellent third in the qualifying round, the 32-year-old biathlete went on to rival the best specialists as the competition progressed.
Winner of his quarter-final and semi-final, the Scandinavian went into the final round as a serious outsider. However, he came up just short in the final to hope to make it onto the podium. Beaten by just two hundredths, he finally finished fourth behind Lars Heggen, the big boss of this event, Edvard Sandvik and Ola Spigseth, second and third respectively in the finish area.
The full rankings
Ladies
Men
Coming soon…
Read also
- Scandinavian Cup in Gålå: Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen surprisingly third in the sprint skate qualifier
- In the absence of a World Cup, Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen will take part in the Scandinavian cross-country skiing cup this weekend.
