Cross-country skier Victoria Carl came second in the second stage of the Tour de Ski. The Thuringian only had to admit defeat over 10 kilometers in classic style to Kerttu Niskanen from Finland.
After her victory two weeks ago in Trondheim, she was now 6.7 seconds away from first place in Toblach, Italy. With fifth place, Katharina Hennig also made a strong return to the top of the world after recovering from the corona infection. In the overall standings, third-placed American Jessica Diggins took the lead, seven seconds ahead of Carl. A 20-kilometer mass start race is on the program in Toblach on New Year’s Day.
“The girls are taking every step forward”
“I didn’t really know what the form was like after Christmas. I had to fight a lot in the last few meters, but the trainers helped me a lot,” said Carl on ZDF. The team sprint Olympic champion sees the mental strength she has gained as the main reason for her upward trend this winter. “I was often sick or injured in previous years, now things are going well and that has given me a boost,” said Carl, who trains in Oberhof.
National coach Peter Schlickenrieder was pleased that the focus is no longer solely on Hennig. “The girls are all taking steps forward. Vici’s success shows everyone where it can lead if they continue on their path,” said Schlickenrieder, considering Coletta Rydzek’s 16th place, Lisa Lohmann’s 21st and Pia Fink’s 26th.
Schlickenrieder was also pleased with the result of his men’s team. Friedrich Moch was the best of them in seventh place. “A top 8 placement in the men’s division cannot be valued highly enough,” said Schlickenrieder. Moch had recently had a cold, but still presented himself strongly. As with the women, the victory went to Finland. Perttu Hyvärinen won ahead of the Norwegians Erik Valnes and Harald Oestberg Amundsen.
