The Swiss cross-country skiers achieved a magnificent overall performance in the skating sprint in Livigno. Obwalden Janik Riebli picked up the first podium of his career by finishing 3rd, while Nadine Fähndrich (4th) and Valerio Grond (5th) also took part in the finals.
Janik Riebli’s feat is significant. The 24-year-old Obwalden did better than hold on for his first final at this level. He snatched 3rd place 1”49 ahead of 4th Paal Golberg in a race won by big favorite Johannes Hösflot Klaebo ahead of Richard Jouve.
Janik Riebli’s best result so far was 7th place, achieved on December 31 in the Val Müstair sprint at the start of the Tour de Ski. With the exception of the quadruple Olympic champion Dario Cologna, the Obwalden offers the Swiss men’s long distance its first podium since December 2013 and 3rd place to Gianluca Cologna in the Asiago sprint.
Valerio Grond, who had beaten his compatriot both in qualifying and in the semi-final on Saturday, however lacked strength in the final. The 22-year-old Grison, U23 sprint world champion last year, finished 2”22 behind Janik Riebli. He nevertheless obtained his best result in the World Cup.
Fähndrich at 0”17 from the podium
Victorious three times this winter in the specialty, Nadine Fähndrich never seemed able to fight for victory on Saturday. The vice-world champion in the team sprint, however, was fully reassured following finishing the Tour de Ski out of breath.
Opposed to … five Swedes in the final, the Lucerne was still able to beat two to afford her fourth top 5 of the season. She missed the third step of the podium by 0”17 in a race won by the 2021 world champion in the specialty Jonna Sundling.
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