Cross-country skiing : Amanda Saari and Ansgar Evensen dominate in Norway
This Friday, the first stage of the Scandinavian cross-country skiing cup season in Norway took place in Lillehammer. The day’s programme included an opening classic sprint where the battle raged on. In the women’s race, Amanda Saari left nothing to chance on the track.
Impressive from the qualifying round in the morning, the Finn then made the finals a mere formality. A solid winner in the quarters and semi-finals, the 24-year-old then crushed the day’s final, crossing the line in the lead and nearly five seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
Behind her, Norway’s Julie Bjervig Drivenes and her compatriot Ingrid Bergene Aabrekk had a great duel for the remaining places on the box. Separated by just two tenths at the finish, the two young women got their weekend off to a perfect start.
The men’s final was even more closely contested. Ansgar Evensen, who won by just a tenth of a second over his compatriots, assumed his favourite’s status. Having competed in the World Cup on several occasions last winter, the Norwegian is gradually regaining his form after a start to the winter truncated by illness.
Following him in the rankings are his team-mates, including the surprising Aron Aakre Rysstad, second at the finish, and Sivert Wiig, third on the day ahead of Sweden’s Anton Grahn.
The full rankings
Ladies
Men
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