Nordic World Ski Championships
The Norwegian cross-country skiers have so far left their mark on the World Championships in Planica. Led by Johannes Hösflot Kläbo, they have won all three previous competitions. Anything but another triumph on Wednesday (12.15 p.m., live on ORF1) over 15 km of skating would be a surprise. The ÖSV team, which is not particularly well positioned anyway, is struggling with health problems.
Mika Vermeulen has to sit out on Wednesday because he had to deal with a cold and diarrhea at the weekend. Benjamin Moser also does not compete over the 15 km, so World Cup debutant Philipp Leodolter, as a blatant outsider, is the only red-white-red contribution.
So far, however, the Norwegians, who are the only nation to wear FFP2 masks away from the cross-country trails, have not reported any health problems in their record hunts, even in the open-air areas. Kläbo could catch up with Björn Dählie on Wednesday with his ninth World Cup gold and overtake his legendary compatriot in the course of the World Cup. Then only Petter Northug, who works as a TV expert in Planica, would be ahead of him in the gold ranking with 13 titles.
Kläbo won the classic sprint ahead of his teammate Paal Golberg, with whom he won gold in the team sprint. In the skiathlon, the top star had to settle for a silver medal in Norway’s quadruple success behind Simen Hegstad Krüger. Wednesday’s competition in single start mode over 15 km could once again bring a multiple triumph for the Norwegians, who also clearly dominated the World Cup before the World Championships in the absence of the suspended Russians.
Vermeulen hopes for the final competition
Vermeulen, on the other hand, is hoping for a comeback on the final day of the World Cup. The Styrian is slowly getting better, but the decision on his participation in the 50 km competition on Sunday has not yet been made. The first track training after a three-day compulsory break on Tuesday was still rather tough, as Vermeulen said. “I tried it, but it wasn’t a celebration,” said Vermeulen.
His start on Sunday only makes sense if a few more training sessions are possible before the weekend. “If I’m not 100 percent fit, then unfortunately I have to start the journey home.” He doesn’t just want to arrive in the 50s, he also wants to achieve his own goals of the top 20 or ideally the top ten, which of course is only realistic in the best possible condition .
