Nilsson and Klæbo win Davos free sprint

Nordic

Nilsson and Klæbo win Davos free sprint

Stina Nilsson (SWE, Fischer skis and bindings) and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (NOR, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) are the winners in the free sprint at the cross country World Cup in Davos (SUI).

Another final without Norwegian participation took place with Stina Nilsson as the favorite and she totally fulfilled this role. After the first lap the Swede took the lead and could open a small lead, which she held this time until crossing the line. "I like Davos, especially when the conditions are the same as they are today and the spectators are in such a great mood. I like the altitude and I have no problems getting used to it," said Stina Nilsson, who won after a one-year losing streak in the World Cup. In addition, she continued to provide variety as the fifth winner of the last five freestyle sprints. Natalia Nepryaeva always started her heats very carefully and did not attack from the very back of the group until shortly before the end. In the final, she finished only fourth with this tactic. Katja Visnar (SLO, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) came in fifth.

=> Sprint Davos (SUI)

The composition of men's final was not sure for a long time, after there was a fall on the final straight between Pellegrino (ITA) and Fossli (NOR) in the semifinals, for which the Italian was not punished, so that he came as fourth-placed into the final. After the start of the final, the Italian was at the back, while Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Lucas Chanavat (FRA, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) were at a very high pace in the lead. In the first climb Pellegrino then attacked and moved into third position, while Gleb Retivykh (RUS, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) and Eirik Brandsdal (NOR, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) already dropped back on the first lap. When Klæbo attacked in the uphill, Baptiste Gros (FRA) initially fell back, but was back in the final sprint again to get a podium place ahead of Lucas Chanavat but wasn't able to catch up with Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Federico Pellegrino. For the Norwegian, who sprinted until crossing the line this time, it was his first win of the season after a series of mishaps and a traffic accident on Wednesday: "I had some difficulties and it's nice to be back. Pellegrino is always strong in the freestyle sprint, we are always fighting against each other and it is nice to be at the top again this time."

=> Sprint Davos (SUI)