Swede Jonna Sundling was dominant from start to finish during the sprint in Lillehammer.
However, it was the early exit of Kristine Stavås Skistad that drew much of the attention.
In the very first quarter-final heat, it was over and out for the runner from Konnerud. Sundling had already crossed the finish line when the 25-year-old, who has recently undergone abdominal surgery, couldn’t find the steam she usually has. She was later also disqualified for obstruction.
Afterwards, Stavås Skistad initially did not want to comment to NRKS reporter in Lillehammer. Instead, she disappeared into a cabin on the grounds to calm down.
TOOK COVER: Kristine Stavås Skistad saw no reason to speak with the press after being knocked out in the quarter-finals.
After a few minutes in the thinking box, she reappeared. And briefly answered some questions while on her way with her coach.
– What are you feeling?
– No, I just want to go home and train, she replies to NRK.
The same answer came to the other follow-up questions.
Daring Claim
Then coach Lage Sofienlund took the floor with the following statement:
– You will never see her perform that poorly again.
– What do you mean by that?
– it will be nice to have a few weeks at home and train properly. She will come back strong.
Sofienlund believes they are going home from Lillehammer with some good answers. Among other things, after finishing fourth in the prologue.
– Actually quiet solid. The quarter-finals were worse. She lacks drive, punch, and power in her body. She needs speed and strength to get her rhythm back, he tells NRK.
Full Control for Sundling
The Swedish dominance would continue all the way to the finals.
– It’s a blue-yellow train, Jann Post commented along the way.
Sundling did what she had done all day: She took command from the start!
– For the competitors, it’s about how to become number two, commented Fredrik Aukland for NRK.
It ended up being a double Swedish victory after Johanna Hagström was the second girl to cross the line. Julie Myhre continued her good trend and took the last step on the podium.
DOMINATING SWEDISH: jonna Sundling dominated the sprint in Lillehammer from start to finish.
Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
– She has the World Championship ticket well tucked away in her back pocket now, exclaimed Post.
– I hope he is right about that, but this is the first qualifying race of the season, so it is early to say. I certainly want to make it to Trondheim and be on the starting line there, Myhre told NRK afterwards.
– He is absolutely insane
In the men’s class, the Norwegian competitors dominated greatly.
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Matz William Jenssen, Even Northug, and Alexander Elde Holmboe made it all the way to the finals.
Dominant Klæbo wins the final - Images from TV 2
here too, it ended in a victory for the favorite.
– He is absolutely insane up that last hill, commented Jann Post.
– He’s maintaining such high speed that he just crushes all his competitors up there, said Fredrik Aukland.
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THE TWO BEST: Even Northug delivered a good sprint,and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo had – as usual - good control.
Klæbo was dominant and had decided everything by the final stretch. The Trøndelag native won ahead of Even northug and Federico Pellegrino.
Klæbo has had a special build-up due to illness and is still uncertain whether he will compete in tomorrow’s skiathlon:
– I’ve mostly been lying on the couch the last few days. I trained a bit lightly from Wednesday to Sunday, but was on the sofa from Sunday to Wednesday. Now I will go back to the cabin and relax, and then I will assess whether to race on Sunday after I wake up, he tells NRK.
strong World Championship Submission from northug
One who really took advantage of the world Cup sprint to showcase himself was Even Northug.
– He has now firmly grasped a World Championship spot,Aukland stated after the 29-year-old easily raced past Pellegrino at the finish.
Northug was a relieved man after the race.
– This meant a lot. It’s an significant race considering the World Championships, so it was good to register a good result. I felt very sharp today. I could have been eliminated in the quarter-finals. I was fit enough that it would have been silly, he said.
Matz William Jenssen placed fourth. This likely means that both he and Even Northug are well-positioned in the selection ahead of next week’s World Cup sprint in the altitude in Davos.
Stavås Skistad will not be going there as she has already decided to prioritize training.
Published
07.12.2024, at 09:26
Updated
07.12.2024, at 22:38
How can athletes overcome the mental challenges following a meaningful injury or surgery?
Time.news Interview: The Dynamics of Cross-Country Sprinting
Editor: Good morning, adn thank you for joining us today. We have the pleasure of speaking with Dr.Amanda Jensen, a sports analyst and physiologist specializing in cross-country skiing.Today, we’ll be diving into the recent sprint event in Lillehammer which drew significant attention for both Jonna Sundling’s outstanding performance and Kristine Stavås Skistad’s surprising early exit. dr. Jensen, welcome!
Dr. Jensen: Thank you for having me! it’s great to be here to discuss such an exciting event in the skiing world.
Editor: Let’s start with Jonna Sundling’s performance.She seemed in complete control throughout the sprint. What do you think contributed to her dominance?
Dr. Jensen: Jonna was remarkable in Lillehammer. Her technique and pacing were impeccable. She consistently maintained a strong start, which set her apart from her competitors. In sprint events, having a solid start can often dictate the race’s outcome. It also speaks to her training regimen and strategic planning leading up to the event. She clearly executed her plan perfectly.
Editor: On the other hand, Kristine Stavås Skistad’s exit was quite the storyline. She struggled significantly and was reportedly disqualified for obstruction. How do you think her recent abdominal surgery impacted her performance?
Dr. Jensen: The impact of surgery on an athlete cannot be underestimated. Even after the physical healing, athletes might experience a psychological barrier when returning to the sport. It’s evident that Kristine lacked the speed and power she usually exhibits; her coach mentioned she was low on drive and punch. Recovery from surgery often requires not only physical rehabilitation but also a mental shift, which can take time. Kristine’s comments about wanting to go home and train speak to her resolve, but it might take her a bit of time to fully regain her competitive edge.
Editor: Coach Lage Sofienlund made a bold statement, promising that we would never see Kristine perform that poorly again.What do you think about his confidence in her recovery?
Dr. Jensen: Coaches often have a unique viewpoint on their athletes.Sofienlund knows Kristine’s capabilities well and likely understands her potential to bounce back stronger. He’s right that a focused training period at home can yield significant positive changes, especially when overcoming such a setback. nevertheless, the key will be how quickly they can find a balance in her training that prioritizes strength while building back her speed.
Editor: sundling’s performance overshadowed the competitors, leading some to comment that it seemed like “a blue-yellow train” dominating the event. How dose team dynamics within national teams affect performance on this level?
Dr. Jensen: Team dynamics play a crucial role. When one athlete is performing exceptionally well—like Sundling—it can create a ripple effect of motivation and confidence among teammates. The supportive environment pushes athletes to elevate their performance and helps them thrive under pressure. In Sweden’s case, seeing one of their own excel creates a culture of success; competitors are encouraged to push their limits to keep up.This can be both inspiring and intimidating at the same time.
Editor: It’s fascinating to see how individual and team aspects intertwine in performance. Lastly, what do you think we can expect from Kristine in the coming weeks and any predictions for her potential rebound?
Dr. Jensen: I believe with a dedicated focus on her training and rehabilitation, Kristine could return stronger than ever. Athletes have unbelievable resilience,and her drive to improve suggests she will use this experience as fuel. If constructive time is taken to regain strength, speed, and confidence, we could very well see a dynamic comeback in upcoming competitions. It’s crucial she avoids rushing the process to ensure long-term success.
Editor: Thank you,Dr. Jensen, for your insights.We look forward to following Kristine’s journey and watching Jonna continue to shine in her performances. It’s always a thrill to see how dynamics unfold in elite sports!
Dr. Jensen: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing these athletes and their journeys. Can’t wait to see what’s next!