The Norwegian cross-country skiers have once again demonstrated their dominance at the World Cup in Östersund. In the individual over 10 kilometers on Sunday (December 10th, 2023), Harald Östberg Amundsen won ahead of four compatriots. From a German perspective, Friedrich Moch ensured a top result.
In total, seven Norwegians were among the top ten runners in the 10 kilometer freestyle. At the top of the podium for the first time this season was Harald Östberg Amundsen, who finished the race after 23:36.1 minutes. Simen Hegstadt Krüger came second (+8.1 seconds), and Didrik Tönseth (+14.3) also made it onto the podium.
From a German perspective, Friedrich Moch confirmed his rising form. After finishing 13th in the individual in Gällivare and a strong performance in the relay, the 23-year-old from WSV Isny finished eighth (+51.1) and was only one of three non-Norwegians alongside the Brit Andrew Musgrave and the Finn Remi Lindholm among the top ten.
To the live ticker: Men’s cross-country skiing arrow right. To the results: Men’s cross-country skiing arrow right
Amundsen cannot be beaten on the last lap
Amundsen set the pace right from the start and set the best times. After half the race, he was at least ten seconds ahead of top runners like Golberg and Johannes Hösflot Kläbo. Only Tönseth and Hegstad Krüger were able to stand up to him. The latter took the lead after five kilometers, but was unable to keep up with Amundsen’s time in the final kilometers.
With starting number 37, Moch had strong competition behind him and was able to follow Kläbo’s times, among other things. And that looked really promising for the German after the first of three laps, only two seconds behind the Norwegian. Moch continued to keep up well, but lost second by second to the leading Norwegians. In the final tally, however, he was even faster than the Norwegian Pal Golberg, who triumphed in the individual in Gällivare last week.
Sossau and Co. beyond the top 30
Anian Sossau and Lucas Bögl tackled the race courageously, but after a few kilometers they were no longer able to counter the times of the top runners. Janosch Brugger also lost contact with the leading group halfway through the race. In the end, Sossau was the second best German in 34th place (+1:34.9 minutes), Bögl finished the race in 39th place (+1:38.4), Brugger finished three places behind (+1:45.8). Jan Stölben finished distant in 63rd place (+2:43.3).
In the sprint race the day before, Kläbo took his first World Cup victory of the season. From a German perspective, only Sossau and Stölben started, but failed early. Albert Kuchler left Sweden early after a corona infection. Likewise the German cross-country skiers Katharina Hennig and Laura Gimmler.
