Second World Cup start, first victory in the World Cup: Linn Svahn gave herself the most beautiful gift five days after her 20th birthday. After the start of the final, Jonna Sundling (SWE, Fischer **) and Maiken Caspersen Falla were at the front until the Swede caught her skis and fell before the first corner. The Norwegian now led the race ahead of Linn Svahn, who was lucky to have avoided a crash with Sundling. In the ascent of the second lap, the 20-year-old Swede from the important center of biathlon Östersund bravely attacked and tore a small gap to Falla and the others. It was no longer possible to catch up for the others on the home stretch, so that between Maiken Caspersen Falla and Sophie Caldwell the photo finish had to decide about second and third place. "I just thought: 'What the f ** k!'", said the jubilant winner at the finish in conversation with the American - shortly afterwards in her first winner interview she was already much more focused: "That is so fantastic. I attacked into the climb and then accelerated into the downhill. I felt very good all day. I am so happy", said the beaming 20-year-old, who had won all her heats. Stina Nilsson (SWE, Fischer **), who like Falla only came to the final as Lucky Loser, again missed the podium as in the Swedish waxing misery in Ruka - after minor injuries in the summer, the 26-year-old does not yet reach her top form. Natalia Nepryaeva (RUS, Fischer ***), who was also not satisfied with the start of the season, made it to the finals and finished fifth ahead of the fallen Jonna Sundling.
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo had a surprisingly challenging race in the men's sprint. In all heats he dueled with the Frenchman Lucas Chanavat, who had already dominated the prologue. In the final, the Frenchman and Håvard Solås Taugbøl (NOR) led the race until Johannes Høsflot Klæbo passed his team-mate - but he couldn't get past Chanavat. After they opened a small gap to the others, the Norwegian tried to take more speed out of the last corner. There was a duel on the home stretch, in which Klæbo narrowly edged out his opponent: "It was a tough fight. Lucas was very strong all day. I did my best in the sprint, but it was a tough fight." Sindre Bjørnstad Skar (NOR, Fischer ***) finished fourth ahead of Gleb Retivykh (RUS, Fischer ***).
* = Fischer skis
** = Fischer skis and bindings
*** = Fischer skis, bindings and boots
