2023-12-31 01:22:22
The first day of the Tour de Ski, this competition in the middle of the cross-country skiing World Cup, smiled on France. This Saturday, in Toblach (Italy), Haut-Savoyard Lucas Chavanat won the sprint event ahead of another Frenchman, Jules Chappaz. They are ahead of the American Bel Ogden.
In the morning, Lucas Chavanat had already impressed in qualifying, finishing first in 2 minutes and 33 seconds. In good shape all day, the cross-country skier from Grand-Bornand remained in front throughout the final in the transalpine resort. In the last few hundred meters, Lucas Chanavat took off to claim his third World Cup victory after Planica and Dresden in 2019-2020.
Behind him, Jules Chappaz, 24, fought hard to the end to obtain second place and his very first World Cup podium.
Arm in arm, the two champions of the day showed a big smile after the race: “It was really cool!” So happy to share the podium with Jules, it adds something quite unique. It really rewards the whole team, all these people who work hard, and it’s a pleasure to be able to give back a little,” reacted winner Lucas Chanavat.
“In the straight, I wondered when I was going to be overtaken”
His runner-up returned to his course: “Crazy day!” I didn’t get off to a great start, I attacked the bridge and found myself next to Lucas. So I say to myself ‘Normally, if you’re behind Lucas 300-400 meters from the finish, it’s because you could be on the podium’. And there was no shortage of it. In the straight, I wondered when I was going to be overtaken, but no one overtook me. And there, second behind Lulu, magnificent! »
The Tour de Ski continues this Sunday with the women’s 10 km (12:15 p.m.) and men’s (3 p.m.).
#Crazy #day #unprecedented #French #double #crosscountry #skiing