Rollerski: Oskar Opstad Vike on cloud nine
A few minutes after the ladies, it was the turn of the cross-country skiers to compete for victory in this classic sprint serving as the second stage of the Toppidrettsveka 2024 program. In Aure (Norway), the battle indeed brought a pleasant outcome for the lucky winner.
Excellent third Wednesday evening on the long-distance race also performed in classic, Oskar Opstad Vike aimed higher this time. Winner of the qualification, the young twenty-year-old Norwegian then won his quarter and semi-final by outpacing leaders in the discipline.
Untouchable in the final, the Scandinavian secured a prestigious victory this summer season. At the finish line, the young man still outpaced the solid Swede Edvin Anger by more than eight tenths. The latter’s compatriot, Anton Grahn, junior world vice-champion in sprint skating last February, also secured a spot on the third step of the podium.
Present in the final for his return to competition after his long elbow injury, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo still managed to reach the final despite qualifying as a lucky loser in each round of the day. However, in the final stage, he couldn’t compete, finishing more than 17 seconds behind the winner.
The only tricolor to have reached the quarterfinals, Jules Chappaz was on the offensive in the last kilometers of the race. However, the Haut-Savoyard still fell short of advancing to the semifinals. Third in his group but not retained as a lucky loser, the Cluse saw his competition end at this stage.
