Cross-country skiing: Malin Hoelsveen and Norway reign supreme in the women’s junior sprint
The world junior and U23 cross-country skiing championships kicked off on Monday in Schilpario (Italy) with a classic sprint. In Lombardy, the women cross-country skiers in the junior category were the first to compete for the coveted world medals.
Malin Hoelsveen, who had finished second in the qualifying round just a few minutes earlier, controlled the rest of the day perfectly. After starting strongly in the quarter-finals, the Norwegian repeated her performance in the semi-finals and final. Showing off her skills under the Italian sun, the Scandinavian gave her opponents no chance.
Crossing the line in first place, the 20-year-old won her first world gold medal in her first participation in this global event. Up until then, the Raufoss IL resident had already had experience of the World Cup, having placed twenty-second in the classic sprint in Drammen (Norway) on 12 March.
Behind her, two of her compatriots gave Norway a fantastic hat-trick. Iselin Bjervig Drivenes and Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen held on to their places in the box ahead of the courageous Canadian Alison Mackie.
Annette Coupat beaten in the semi-final
None of the four women competing for Les Bleues managed to reach the final. However, Annette Coupat proudly defended her chances in the semi-finals. Beaten and placed sixth, the Forézienne nevertheless showed some promise ahead of the rest of these World Championships.
Margot Tirloy, Anouchka Neuville and Daphné Patois, on the other hand, had their adventure cut short in the quarter-finals.
Read also
- Schilpario: Filip Skari qualifies for the classic sprint at the Junior Worlds, Quentin Viguier is the only Frenchman to qualify
- Schilpario: Iselin Bjervig Drivenes dominates qualifying for the classic sprint at the World Junior Championships, all the French women in the quarter-finals
- The full programme for the Junior and U23 World Championships in Schilpario from 3 to 9 February
- The French selection for the Junior and U23 World Championships in Schilpario
