Cross-country skiing: Mattis Stenshagen relentless in his quest for the World Cup
Following on from Germany’s Victoria Carl‘s landslide victory in the women’s race, the cross-country skiers took to the track at the end of the morning in the12-kilometre individual classic of the FIS cross-country ski races held in Muonio, Finland.
Although he is not yet guaranteed a World Cup start this winter, Mattis Stenshagen came to Finland to reassure himself and try to prove to the coaches that he can earn a place on the plane to Ruka (Finland) in a fortnight’ time.
And the Norwegian didn’t waver. At ease as the kilometres went by, the 28-year-old cross-country skier dominated the event, taking victory ahead of his compatriot Erik Valnes, winner of the classic sprint the previous day, by almost 30 seconds. The Scandinavian reached the podium for the first time in his elite career last winter in Canmore (Canada), and will be looking to confirm his performance in Sunday’sindividual skate race.
Behind the two Norwegians, it was Germany’s Friedrich Moch who took third place ahead of the much-anticipated Iivo Niskanen, only fourth in his preferred format. Another Norwegian cross-country skier, Mikael Gunnulfsen, completed the top 5.
Full results
Read also
- Muonio: Victoria Carl dominates the classic individual FIS races
- Muonio: the classic FIS race sprint for Jasmi Joensuu and Erik Valnes
