Katharina Hennig cheered even before the finish, then she fell into the arms of her waiting family. “Finally! I’m happy that it worked out today,” said the Olympic champion after the first World Cup victory of her career, which ended a dry spell of almost 14 years. Since Claudia Nystad’s triumph in Falun in March 2009, no German cross-country skier had achieved an individual victory.
Hennig ended the long wait with an impressive performance. On the penultimate stage of the Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme, the 26-year-old chose her “favourite race” over 15 kilometers in classic style right from the start. On the home straight, she apparently effortlessly left the Swede Frida Karlsson, who was the leader in the overall standings, and the Olympic silver medalist, Kerttu Niskanen (Finland).
“What Katharina showed today was unique,” said national coach Peter Schlickenrieder. Hennig delivered a masterly tactical performance in particular. “She didn’t take first place on the last mountain, although she could have done it. It’s great when you learn so quickly,” said Schlickenrieder.
At the beginning of the winter, Hennig had already indicated with two podium finishes that the first victory was only a matter of time. Now the knot burst, and from the grandparents to the siblings to the neighbors everyone was there. “It was super cool that the whole family was standing at the side of the track, especially after the two years of Corona without spectators,” said Hennig. In the overall ranking, Hennig climbed to fourth place before the final and rock-hard climb to Alpe Cermis on Sunday. In the history of the Tour, no German runner has achieved a top five result in the final.
“Katharina has delivered everything she dreamed of. What is still to come is an encore,” said Schlickenrieder. Hennig would have to catch up 23 seconds to displace Niskanen from third place, Karlsson is exactly two minutes behind the leading. “We’ll see how many grains are still in the body, and they’ll be scraped together tomorrow,” said Hennig, who had previously planned more important things: “Now I’ll hug my family first – and then eat and sleep.”
