Katherine Stewart-Jones was pleased with her result in the classic sprint on Friday at the World Cup in Ruka, Finland, and hoped to be able to replicate that success in the 10 kilometer classic individual start on Saturday.
Mission accomplished for the Chelsea athlete who signed the best result of his career in the specialty with a 22e place in 26 min 8.8 s.
“I’m really happy, I’m trying more and more to work on the mental aspect in the time trial races and today my plan was executed very well. I’m proud of the way I skied and it’s encouraging for the future,” commented Stewart-Jones.
Encouraging for the rest of the season, but also encouraging for the race scheduled for Sunday in Ruka, a 20 kilometer freestyle pursuit start. Stewart-Jones is happy to be in such good shape so early in the season.
“It’s interesting to be at this level already and I hope it will improve little by little as the season progresses. For tomorrow, I want to have another good result, it’s as simple as that. I would like to be able to ski quietly with my group, be patient and take advantage of overtaking opportunities when they arise,” said the 27-year-old skier.
Also at the start on Saturday, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt stopped the clock at 27 min 25.1 s to end the day in 47e rung.
Sweden’s Ebba Andersson won the gold medal with her time of 24:49.6. Sweden’s Frida Karlsson (+5.7 seconds) finished second while the bronze medal went to Germany’s Katharina Hennig (+13.3 seconds).
Olivier Léveillé surprised by the difficult conditions
Olivier Léveillé had good feelings during his warm-up on Saturday morning before the 10 kilometer classic. However, the snow softened once the start was launched and the Quebecer was unable to adapt to this sudden change in conditions.
Léveillé finally crossed the finish line at 44e rank after an effort of 23 min 22 s.
“At the finish, I was a bit frustrated and disappointed with my performance. The conditions have changed enormously between yesterday’s qualifying, this morning’s warm-up and the race. I was destabilized and I wasn’t able to exploit my technique as I wanted,” remarked Léveillé.
“Once I saw the times, I consoled myself a bit. I am less than 20 seconds from the top-20, it was hard fought. I don’t think I have to worry about my form,” he added.
The Quebecer now knows what to expect for Sunday’s 20 kilometer freestyle and he feels ready for this race.
“I’m really looking forward to it because freestyle suits me perfectly. I think it will be a tactical race, I will have to find the right openings. I will try to position myself well in the peloton and follow the guys who seem the fittest. »
Victorious the day before, the Norwegian Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo once again tasted the gold medal on Saturday by finishing the race in 21 min 46.1 s. His compatriots Paal Golberg (+20.5 seconds) and Martin Loewstroem Nyenget (+28 seconds) accompanied him on the podium.