Cross-country skiing : twenty-fifth World Cup podium for Erik Valnes
On Saturday afternoon, the cross-country skiers competed in a classic sprint at the Les Rousses (Jura) cross-country skiing world cup. Norway’s Erik Valnes claimed his twenty-fifth career podium by taking third place in a race dominated by Sweden’s Edvin Anger.

This is another top 3 finish for him, after he fell to the lucky loser position in the final following a fast-paced half set up by the twirling American Ben Ogden.
“It could have been better, but it could also have been worse. I was hoping to fight for victory today. The lucky loser in the semi-final was in control, because we got away very quickly. In the final straight, I realised that we could stop. I just kept up the pace. I was sure of myself,” he told Nordic Magazine after the race.
Erik Valnes impressed by young Edvin Anger
In this final, where he was also beaten by his surprising team-mate Ansgar Evensen, the Norwegian was impressed by Edvin Anger, who put in a magnificent performance to claim his very first World Cup success at just 22 years of age.

It’s one thing to win your first race, but what’s really impressive is the way you did it,” admits Erik Valnes. He set the pace from the start. He dared to do that and he defended his position very well, so that’s really strong.” In France, the 28-year-old cross-country skier also particularly enjoyed the race held on the Tuffes Nordic stadium, and was impressed by the atmosphere in the venue.
” You can feel the pressure of the crowd on both sides, especially on the first climb”.Erik Valnes for Nordic Magazine
“It’s a pretty intense atmosphere with the public. It’s very special. You can feel the pressure of the crowd on both sides, especially on the first climb. The stadium is very compact, unlike Holmenkollen where the atmosphere is also very good, but the stadium is bigger,” he concludes.
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