The German relay team with Laura Gimmler, Katharina Hennig, Pia Fink and Victoria Carl brought the DSV success again after a long period without any notable placings – the men are also still hoping in Planica.
The German cross-country skiers won silver in the relay at the World Championships in Planica and ended a twelve-year dry spell. Laura Gimmler, Katharina Hennig, Pia Fink and Victoria Carl were only beaten by the defending champions from Norway after 4×5 kilometers, bronze went to Sweden.
For the German Ski Association (DSV), it was the first cross-country medal at a World Championships since 2011. The German women’s relay had even made it onto the podium for the last time in 2009. With the eleventh medal in Slovenia, the DSV also broke the German World Cup record from 2017. Everything went according to plan for the DSV team right from the start on the demanding course: First runner Gimmler (Oberstdorf) handed over to Hennig after her five kilometers as part of a four-man lead group, the medal contenders from the USA were already distanced at this point.
On the second leg, Hennig (Oberwiesenthal) together with Sweden, Norway and Finland extended the lead over the rest of the field and handed over to Fink while in the lead. The Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Östberg pulled away, but Fink (Bremelau) shook off Sweden and Finland. Everything now depended on the final runner Carl (Zella-Mehlis).
The team sprint Olympic champion was unable to move forward, but she confidently secured second place and was greeted by her cheering teammates at the finish. In Planica there are two more chances until Sunday, albeit smaller ones: on Friday, the men’s relay hopes for a top result, as does Hennig on Saturday over 30 kilometers.
