[ad_1]
Across the finish line, there was only 61 hundredths of a difference between the two. Emil Iversen also impressed when he finished third and provided a Norwegian triple behind the strong sprinters.
Trønderen, however, had no chance against the two teammates on the last hill, but only had to pay tribute to Valnes for someone who finally managed to beat Klæbo.
– I’m impressed, it was great. Valnes is fast, he has a bastard and then he flew up the hill. He’s raw, he’s strong to beat Johannes, it’s been a long time since someone did that, says Iversen.
Valnes was clearly moved by his own performance and had to admit that a lot of thoughts ran through his head after the victory.
– What thoughts?
– It does not feel so long ago that you were a child who watched TV and then went out to practice a little skiing. It is a dream, it is simply huge.
– And you beat Klæbo in what should be better?
– In fact, I’ve had some faith that I approached him in an ending like this. Today I really got it, it tastes fantastic, says Valnes.
HOW HAPPY YOU BECOME A WINNER: Erik Valnes realizes he is ahead of Johannes Høsflot Klæbo during the sprint final in Ruka.
Photo: EMMI KORHONEN / AFP
– Finally, it is not a “Wednesday runner”
The last time Klæbo failed to rise to the top in a sprint was at Lillehammer in December 2018. He then became number 11 after pole vaulting in the semi-finals. The last time he lost a sprint final was at Ruka almost exactly two years ago.
– Valnes was strong. Throughout the fall it has proven to be good, so we are prepared for that. I guess I and someday it had to end. But being number two here isn’t so bad, Klæbo tells NRK.
WAS HIT: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, here during the prologue in Ruka on Friday.
Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva / NTB
– What do you say about Valnes?
– What can you say? It is nothing more than showing off to him in the clouds. It has been and is strong. Finally, it’s not a “Wednesday runner,” but it’s actually happening this weekend, and it’s a lot of fun to watch. He deserved that victory, he’s been on the podium many times, so I treat him
Strong norwegian day
National Sprint team coach Arild Monsen probably smiled well inside the cross country stadium in Ruka on Friday. Because it was a strong day in Norway on the part of the men.
Although full riders Hans Christer Holund, Didrik Tønseth, Simen Hegstad Krüger and Sjør Røthe thanked each other in the prologue, Norway was represented by six men in the quarterfinals. They all made it to the semi-finals, with only Pål Golberg and Sindre Bjørnestad Skar sold out.
– The last half of the semifinals was a bit bad. A strong heat and got bad on the last slope. It used to be an ocean behind so these are two steps in the right direction for me, I’m taking it with me, Skar tells NRK.
Bolshunov in fourth place
Thus, there were four Norwegians in the final in a duel with the Swiss Jovian Hediger and the Russian Aleksandr Bolshunov.
The field was even up to the last hill. Both Valnes and Klæbo moved. At the last corner and in the race, the man from northern Norway was the strongest and took an almost sensational victory.
Bolshunov ranked fourth behind the Norwegian trio. Håvard Solås Taugbøl was number five, while Jovian Hediger finished in sixth place.
