A young Norwegian star enchants Dobbiaco

Klaebo has competed in 38 World Cup races in his career, finishing on the podium 24 times and even winning 16 times. In Toblach, the young Norwegian was in a class of his own in the sprint at the start of his first Tour de Ski and took his second victory in the Nordic Arena after winning the 2017-kilometer pursuit in 15.

Pellegrino fails in the semi-finals, Zelger surprises In the final, Klaebo pulled away from his pursuers on the last climb and finally brought the thing confidently over the finish line. The two Frenchmen Richard Jouve and Lucas Chanavat did not pose a threat to the Norwegian.

Federico Pellegrino, who was identified by many experts before the start of the race as Klaebo's worst competitor, was more calculated. The Italians' hope failed in the semi-finals.

Already in the qualification, Stefan Zelger caused a mini surprise: thanks to the 21st best time, the man from Bolzano qualified for the knockout heats and thus earned World Cup points for the second time in his career. But it was over for the 23-year-old in the quarterfinals. Dietmar Nöckler was unable to qualify for the finals. Swedish double victory for women Ida Ingemarsdotter, Stina Nilsson and Jessica Diggins celebrate after the race (Photo: Wisthaler).

There was a favorite victory in the women's field: Stina Nilsson, who leads the Sprint World Cup standings, showed a show of strength in the final and crossed the finish line with a lead of over three seconds. The Swede took home her second win of the season and her 17th World Cup success. Her compatriot Ida Ingemarsdotter followed in second place, while third place went to the American Jessica Diggins.

The distance races are still on the program in Toblach on Sunday: the women run over 10 kilometers (12.45 p.m.), the men over 15 kilometers (14.45 p.m.). Both races are held in free style. The votes for the race: Stina Nilsson (1st place, women): “I've been training really well recently and I went to Dobbiaco with a good gut feeling. I was able to make full use of my strong form on the cross-country ski trail. I’m more than happy with this start and we can continue like this.”

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (winner men): “It's just a great feeling to be the first to cross the finish line. It was a real fight today. I had to really grit my teeth in the quarter-finals and then also in the semi-finals, it was very close. Now it’s important to regenerate quickly so that we can go full throttle again tomorrow.”

Federico Pellegrino (7th place, best Italian): “Unfortunately, the preparation was not ideal due to persistent back pain. Then there was also the fact that I simply caught extremely strong opponents in the knockout phase. In the end, only a few hundredths were missing. But these shouldn’t be excuses, the others were simply better today.”

Stefan Zelger (29th place, best South Tyrolean): “My tactics in the quarter-finals may not have worked completely, but I'm very happy with this result. I showed that I can definitely keep up in the sprint. In any case, my form is correct.” The final results of the sprint in Toblach: Women 1. Stina Nilsson (SWE) 2:36.26 minutes 2. Ida Ingemarsdotter (NOR) +3.00 seconds 3. Jessica Diggins (USA) +3.07 4. Yulia Belorukova (RUS) +3.16 5. Linn OEMskar (SWE) +3.26 6. Sadie Bjornsen (USA) +3.40 ... 22. Greta Laurent (ITA) 25. Elisa Brocard (ITA) Out in qualifying: 35. Alice Canclini (ITA), 45. Caterina Ganzi (ITA), 52. Francesca Franchi (ITA), 59. Ilaria Debertolis (ITA), 63. Sara Pellegrini (ITA), 65. Cristina Pittin (ITA), 70. Anna Comarella (ITA)

Men 1. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (NOR) 2:17.99 minutes 2. Richard Jouve (FRA) +0.34 seconds 3. Lucas Chanavat (FRA) +0.39 4. Sindre Bjoernestad Skar (NOR) +0.76 5. Emil Iversen (NOR) +1.67 6. Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) +3.17 ... 7. Federico Pellegrino (ITA) 15. Francesco De Fabiani (ITA) 20. Enrico Nizzi (ITA) 29. Stefan Zelger (ITA/Bozen) Out in qualifying: 36. Maicol Rastelli (ITA), 48. Dietmar Nöckler (ITA/Bruneck), 49. Claudio Muller (ITA), 68. Giandomenico Salvadori (ITA), 96. Stefano Gardener (ITA), 98. Simone Daprá (ITA)

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A young Norwegian star enchants Dobbiaco

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