The German cross-country skiing team made a sporting statement one day before the final of the Tour de Ski. Olympic champion Katharina Hennig held her own against strong competition in the 15-kilometer mass start in the classic technique and took third place.
Only the two Swedes Linn Svahn and Frida Karlsson were faster in the final sprint in the snow-covered Val di Fiemme.
After two second places from Victoria Carl on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, it was already the third podium place for the German team at the traditional event around the turn of the year. The 28-year-old Carl held on until the final this time and finished seventh.
Carl also takes seventh place in the Tour de Ski overall ranking, which is still led by the American Jessie Diggins. Hennig is eleventh in the ranking. The traditional final climb to Alpe Cermis is on the program in Italy on Sunday (3:45 p.m.).
Germany’s starters will have to compete in the final weekend without team boss Peter Schlickenrieder. The former top athlete had his accreditation revoked because he placed his skis across the track in difficult conditions during the pursuit race on Thursday in order to free the German athletes’ material from the snow load. On Friday, Schlickenrieder announced via Instagram that he was handing over his team to the sporting director Andreas Schlütter.
