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Victory in the 15-kilometer classic in Beitostølen on Saturday sent Mikael Gunnulfsen (27) straight into the opening of the World Cup in Ruka next weekend.
Gunnulfsen was completely superior in the 15 kilometer classic, and then it became more than difficult to avoid him in the squad of national team coaches Eirik Myhr Nossum and Arild Monsen.
Gunnulfsen tells Nettavisen that he received the happy message from the national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum on Sunday afternoon after the 15-kilometer race in Beitostølen.
Initially, all places for the World Cup team were reserved for national team players, but the national team management decided to make an exception with Gunnulfsen, who goes for the Telemark Team.
He really appreciates it.
– It was raw and unbelievably big from the Ski Association. They shouldn’t take me out, but they give me the opportunity based on what happened on Saturday. I think it’s incredibly cool, Gunnulfsen tells Nettavisen.
In Ruka, a so-called mini tour is organized. It starts with a sprint on Friday, continues with the 15-kilometer classic on Saturday, before it all ends with the start of the 15-kilometer hunt on Sunday. Gunnulfsen proved with his victory in the 15-kilometer classic in Beitostølen that it can be counted especially on Saturday’s stage in Finland.
– In general, I know that Sunday is a day in which others have better conditions than me, but the first two days are much better for me, especially Saturday. On Saturday, I have the ambition to do exactly what I did in Beitostølen. Then I’ll see what it’s all about, says the 27-year-old.
One who was impressed with the Beito show was Petter Northug.
– When I win at Beitostølen so superiorly, I should definitely get a chance at Ruka, Northug wrote in a message to Nettavisen.
The king of skiing got his wish.
Skien’s 27-year-old at Telemark already has two World Cup starts. At five miles at Holmenkollen last winter, he came in at a strong eighth place. In 2016, he was number 33 in the classic sprint at Drammen.
Gunnulfsen may also be a relevant man for Norway five miles away in this winter’s WC in Oberstdorf.
17 of the 20 athletes who will go to the World Cup in Finland were shortlisted.
The last men’s place went to Sindre Bjørnestad Skar (28).
Maiken Caspersen Falla and Ragnhild Haga were included in the original team, but neither of them travel. Haga has decided that it is best to prepare for more competition at home in Norway. Falla has problems with her poor airways and, according to the press release from the Norwegian Ski Association, she thinks long term and therefore chooses not to stay in Ruka.
Anne Kjersti Kalvå, Hedda Østberg Amundsen and Mathilde Myhrvold complete the women’s squad.
Ruka’s 3-pointer includes the classic sprint on Friday, the 15-kilometer classic on Saturday and the 15-kilometer chase start in free technique on Sunday.
This is the team:
Woman:
Hedda Østberg Amundnsen (Asker Ski Club), Helene Fossesholm (Eiker Ski Club), Therese Johaug (IL Nansen), Anne Kjersti Kalvå (Lundamo IL), Mathilde Myhrvold (Vind IL), Ane Appelkvist Stenseth (Grong IL), Anna Svendsen ( Tromsø Ski Club)), Heidi Weng (IL BUL), Lotta Udnes Weng (Nes Ski), Tiril Udnes Weng (Nes Ski).
Mens:
Pål Golberg (Gol IL), Mikael Gunnulfsen (IF Ørn), Hans Christer Holund (Lyn Ski), Emil Iversen (IL Varden Meråker), Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Byåsen IL), Simen Hegstad Krüger (Lyn Ski), Sjur Røthe (Voss IL), Sindre Bjørnestad Skar (Bærums Verk og Hauger IF), Håvard Taugbøl (Lillehammer Skiklubb), Erik Valnes (Bardufoss og Omegn IF).
(© NTB)
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