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Beijing Olympics – Cross-country skiing (F): Russia crowned ahead of Germany and Sweden, the Blues finish far
Russia wins a second title in cross-country skiing in Beijing. After Alexander Bolshunov’s victory in the opening of the skiathlon, it was in the women’s 4x5km relay that the delegation representing the Russian Olympic Committee went for the gold medal. From the start and the first stint in classic style, Yulia Stupak put her team in the lead with a gap of over ten seconds. However, an acceleration by Katherine Sauerbrey in the last lap of 2500m allowed Germany to approach the second part of the race in the aspiration of the Russians with a duo composed of Japan and Finland distanced by twelve seconds. At the forefront, Katharina Hennig and Natalia Nepryaeva collaborated in the second and final stint in classic style to widen the gap on the competition. Indeed, halfway through the race, a trio made up of Norway, revived by Therese Johaug following a complicated first stint for Tiril Udnes Weng, Sweden and Finland were already more than 20 seconds behind. The third stint, done in freestyle, first saw Victoria Carl stay in contact with Tatiana Sorina before losing several lengths in the last lap of 2500m.
Stepanova offers gold to Russia, the Blues too quickly outdistanced
However, the German was able to give everything to launch Sofie Krehl just five seconds behind Veronika Stepanova. A gap that was maintained in the first part of the relay but the last torchbearer from Germany made her effort to get back on the skis of the Russian when it’s time to ring the bell for the final lap. A final loop which then saw Veronika Stepanova gradually pick up the pace to take a five-second lead. In difficulty when entering the stadium, Sofie Krehl might not return to Russia, which won the Olympic title. Germany saves its silver medal for just over two seconds over Sweden, who complete the podium at the expense of Finland. On the French side, Léna Quintin was in trouble very quickly and launched Delphine Claudel in just under two minutes. A gap that has been constantly widening as the freestyle relays of Flora Dolci and Mélissa Gal. Despite everything, Les Bleues managed to move up the hierarchy to finish in 12th place, just over five minutes behind Russia.
BEIJING WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES – CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING / 4x5KM RELAY (F)
Final ranking – Saturday February 12, 2022
1- Russie (Stupak-Nepryaeva-Sorina-Stepanova) en 53’41”0
Video: 17th d. – Leipzig still surprised (Dailymotion)
2- Germany (Sauerbrey-Hennig-Carl-Krehl) at 18”2
3- Sweden (Dahlqvist-Andersson-Karlsson-Sundling) at 20”7
4- Finland (Kylloenen-Matintalo-Niskanen-Parmakoski) à 21”2
5– Norway (Weng-Johaug-Fossesholm-Haga) at 28”8
6- United States (Swirbul-Brennan-McCabe-Diggins) at 1’28”2
7- Switzerland (van der Graaf-Faehndrich-Kaelin-Meier) at 3’00”5
8- Italy (Comarella-Ganz-di Centa-Scardoni) at 3’39”5
9- Canada (Stewart Jones-Beatty-Browne-Bouffard Nesbitt) à 3’39’’9
10- China (Chi-Li-Jialin-Ma) at 4’08”7
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12- France (Quintin-Claudel-Dolci-Gal) at 5’22”9
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