Cross-country skiing: Helen Hoffmann stronger than the surprising Rosie Fordham
A few hours after Mathias Holbæk‘s second victory in the men’s race, the young women under the age of twenty-three took to the track in the 10 kilometreindividual skate event at the Junior and U23 Cross-Country World Championships in Schilpario, Italy.
As the last solo race before the traditional mixed relays scheduled for Sunday, this event was the last chance to win an individual medal this week in the Alps.Helen Hoffmann didn’t let this chance slip through her fingers.
The best U23 rider on the World Cup circuit for several weeks, the German had not been able to fully express herselfover the last few days in Lombardy. But on Saturday, the cross-country skier who celebrated her 23rd birthday the day before was determined to reverse the trend.
Unrivalled throughout her effort, the woman who trains regularly in Oberhof (Germany) simply crushed the race. To take gold, she beat the surprising Rosie Fordham. The Australian was equally impressive, putting in a performance that left a lasting impression.
Liliane Gagnon, who had won a bronze medal in the mass-start classic two days earlier, completed her collection of medals by finishing third again. Another solid performance from the Canadian, who has been competing full-time at the highest international level for several months now.
Cloé Pagnier and Léonie Perry follow each other in the top 10
Nearly a minute and thirty seconds behind the new world champion, Cloé Pagnier is the first Frenchwoman to take her place in the rankings. A solid ninth, the Doubiste rider fought hard right to the end to maintain her position in the top 10.
Less than two seconds behind her, her compatriot Léonie Perry rounded off the day’s top ten. The Vosges rider finished strongly to make up some valuable positions. Julie Pierrel wasn ‘t far behind, crossing the line in fifteenth place.
On the other hand, in her first race on this world stage, Liv Coupat was unable to match her team-mates. Just over three minutes behind the winner, the Forézienne finished in twenty-ninth place.
Full results
Read also
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- Junior World Championships in Schilpario: more gold for Lars Heggen, crowned individual free skater, Gaspard Cottaz eighth
- Schilpario: Norway’s Mathias Holbæk crowned world U23 mass-start classic champion, Luc Primet a solid ninth
- Schilpario: after the classic sprint, Maerta Rosenberg again takes gold in the classic mass-start, with Julie Pierrel in the top 10
- “It was my goal for the year and I knew that a medal was within my grasp”: the frustration of Ivan Essonnier, sixth in the classic sprint final at the U23 World Championships in Schilpario.
- “It’s incredible”: Forézienne Annette Coupat’s satisfaction after her fourth place in the mass-start classic at the Junior Worlds
- Schilpario: Lars Heggen Junior World Champion in the Mass Start Classic, Romain Vaxelaire eleventh
- Schilpario Junior Worlds: Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen takes gold in the mass start classic, Annette Coupat fourth, Margot Tirloy eighth
- Schilpario: Anton Grahn takes the U23 world title in the classic sprint, Ivan Essonnier sixth in the final
- Schilpario: Maerta Rosenberg becomes U23 world champion in the classic sprint, while France remain stuck in the quarter-finals
- Schilpario: Filip Skari becomes world junior classic sprint champion
- Cross-country skiing | Schilpario: Malin Hoelsveen takes the world title in the junior classic sprint ahead of two other Norwegians, Annette Coupat stops in the semi-finals
