Cross-country skiing: Sweden crushes Norway after Jonna Sundling’s incredible comeback
Heidi Weng, Astrid Oeyre Slind, Therese Johaug and Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs were out for revenge this Friday in the women’s relay at the world cross-country skiing championships in Trondheim (Norway). Beaten by the Swedes in the sprint skate, skiathlon, individual classic and team sprint classic, the Norwegians did not want to see their best rivals steal the gold medal for the fifth time in a row.
However, the scenario of this race once again worked to the disadvantage of the local riders. In a completely crazy final stint, everything came crashing down for those who had a margin of more than 37 seconds going into this final changeover.
Impeccable after the powerful work of Heidi Weng on the first run of the day, Astrid Oeyre Slind and Therese Johaug stayed on course to allow their nation to maintain its solid lead. And when novice Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs took off, it looked like the end of the road.
But it seems that Jonna Sundling had decided otherwise. After Emma Ribom, Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson, the Swede took off like a rocket in the fourth relay position. Already the winner of the sprint skate and classic sprint team events, as well as having a tan in the skiathlon, the 30-year-old cross-country skier raced past the leader at breakneck speed.
In just two kilometres, the Scandinavian was back on the Norwegian’s skis. An incredible comeback that had the effect of dampening the spirits of the young Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs. In the sprint, Jonna Sundling then made the difference to give her team gold.
Having been deprived of the title since 2019 and the edition contested in Seefeld (Austria), the Swedes are finally back in the limelight at this global event. It was a race that is sure to go down in world championship legend, as Jonna Sundling ‘s comeback seemed unreal when the baton was passed.
Behind Sweden and Norway, the Germans won their duel with the Finns. Still in the hunt for a medal, Pia Fink, Katharina Hennig, Helen Hoffmann and Victoria Carl held their nerve despite Krista Pärmäkoski’s incredible comeback in the third relay.
In silver at Planica (Slovenia) in 2023, the cross-country skiers from across the Rhine never left the podium, while the Finnish team of Johanna Matintalo, Kerttu Niskanen, Krista Pärmäkoski and Jasmi Joensuu once again had to settle for fourth place, just a few days after a frustrating chocolate medal in the sprint team.
The full rankings
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