Ahen Katharina Hennig proved her top form with a storm in sixth place, Peter Schlickenrieder was able to forget his worries about Jonas Dobler’s heart for a short time. “That was a great end to a very eventful day,” said the national coach after the third stage of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, which demanded everything from great worries to loud cheers.
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At first he was worried about Dobler, who suddenly left the 15-kilometer race. “Jonas called out to me: high pulse, high pulse,” said Schlickenrieder on ZDF: “We know that he has a bit of a problem with his heart. It is not life-threatening, he has the approval from the doctors. He can live to be 100 years old with it, but this is the first time it has happened in a race. We have to analyze it well. “
A good hour after the race, team doctor Alexander Disch gave the all-clear. Taking Dobler out of the running was a “pure precaution”. The 30-year-old did not feel well during the competition. “I only knew that about him from training. It’s just an incalculable risk, so you have to think twice, ”said Schlickenrieder.
The twelfth rank of Friedrich Moch, who bought the ticket for the Olympic Games in Beijing, almost faded into the background. “The season was already going really well. I didn’t think I’d be able to qualify for the Olympics, ”said the 21-year-old. As in the opening sprint in Lenzerheide, the victory went to Norway’s top star Johannes Hösflot Kläbo.
After the medical all-clear, Schlickenrieder was able to watch the women’s race over 10 kilometers more relaxed and saw a strong performance by Hennig. The 25-year-old stayed in the top group for a long time and ended up in sixth place. As on the first stage, the victory went to defending champion Jessica Diggins (USA).
For Hennig it was the best result of her career in free technology. “I’m so happy with sixth place and just grateful. When things got down to business, I noticed my technical weaknesses, ”said Hennig. National coach Peter Schlickenrieder was also satisfied: “This is a great place for Katha. Their tactics worked perfectly. “On New Years there is a sprint in Oberstdorf before the entourage moves on to Val di Fiemme in Italy.
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