– It was soooo good!
This is how she cheered when she crossed the finish line in Summit 2 Senja and took her third Ski Classics win of the season.
Magni Smedås parked yesterday’s winner Astrid Øyre Slind and overall leader Emilie Fleten in the brutal uphill climb up Magdaskaret a mile before the finish line. There, over a minute separated the two who sprinted for the rest of the podium.
Smedås had almost written off the possibility of victory. She walked most of the race alone in no man’s land, a good distance behind the tight duo Øyre Slind and Fleten, and a good distance in front of Røkla.
– I was so looking forward to yesterday. I tried to hang on to them at first, but I had no chance. Then I managed to take them in, but then they left again, and then I now went there by myself again, and mostly thought that I just had to keep away from those who were behind me, she says to NRK after the victory on the quay in Finnsnes.
But on the last hill, everything turned around.
– Suddenly I saw them when we were on our way into the hill, and then I felt extremely strong. So then it was just a matter of gritting my teeth and when I took them up the hill there, I realized that I had good opportunities. Because I know I’m good going down, says Smedås.
Astrid Øyre Slind is disappointed with second place, and yesterday’s winner tells of a hard day at work.
– It’s actually a bit boring, but a perfectly OK race. I feel I’m tender, I get a cramp in my back and a little vomit in my throat and then it’s no fun to go skiing, she says to NRK after the finish line.
Top 3 men, 60km
1. Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, 3:10:33.0
2. Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie, +1:07.7
3. Emilie Fleten, Team Ramudden, +1:08.8
Complete results
Smedås accounted for today’s second qualifying victory. The boys also won in exhibition style. And also among the boys, the race was decided at Magdaskaret.
See more: Nyenget’s wild revenge
FACT: Summit 2 Senja
Who: Men and women
What: 14th race in Ski Classics Season XV
Where: Bardufoss to Finnsnes, Troms
When: Sunday 7 April
09:00: 60km classic joint start, men’s elite
09:05: 60km classic joint start, women’s elite
TV: NRK and SC Play
Info: Live center
Start lists, details and results