Skiers' Shocking Swing in Sweden's Ice Dungeon
The German cross-country ski teams are back in the limelight following their triumphant World Championship victories. First, the women's team claimed their season's first podium finish, and shortly after, the men joined the celebration with their third-place finish. Surprisingly, both teams struggled at the beginning of the World Cup, making this achievement even more thrilling.
Sweden played host to a remarkable moment in cross-country skiing history as the German mixed team took third place in the 4x7.5-kilometer relay. Janosch Brugger, Albert Kuchler, Friedrich Moch, and final skier Anian Sossau overcame a challenging start to secure their podium finish. This was the team's first such accomplishment since 2011, when they also placed third at the Rybinsk World Cup.
Just a few hours earlier, German women's relay team astonished audiences, claiming their first World Cup podium finish in almost seven years. Laura Gimmler, Katharina Hennig, Pia Fink, and Victoria Carl put an impressive display, ensuring second place behind the hosts, Sweden. However, it was the performance of the men's quartet that truly raised eyebrows. Kuchler, Brugger, and Moch had previously clinched bronze at the World Championships in March with Jonas Dobler, who has since retired.
Germany’s previous World Cup successes were few and far between, but the dry spell was broken in freezing temperatures below zero in Sweden. Sossau, who refilled the vacant position, enjoyed a strong showing to secure third place. His resilience and determination were evident as he maintained his position despite the pressure.
The German women's team paralleled their male counterparts' performance. Starter Gimmler initially placed fifth, and Hennig effectively battled her way to second position. Fink dropped slightly in the ranks, but Carl seized the opportunity to overtake the USA and even attempted an attack on Sweden in the final stretch, missing the victory by a narrow 13.5 seconds. Norway, previously unbeaten after 16 consecutive victories, only managed to secure a fourth-place finish.
Germany claimed its first relay podium in the World Cup since second place in Ulricehamn, Sweden, in January 2017. However, their earlier podium finish in Toblach, Italy, was subsequently deemed invalid following a registration error. The last time Germany claimed a relay victory was in March 2007.
Further Insights:
German relay teams have impressed in recent World Cups, particularly in team sprint and relay events. Renowned German cross-country skier Claudia Nystad owns a rich history of podium finishes, including multiple first-place finishes in 4 × 5 km relay events and team sprint competitions. German athletes like Laura Gimmler have displayed spectacular performances in team events, and their strong team dynamics, strategic skiing, and aggressive cornering have contributed to these successes.
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In addition to the women's team, Germany's men's Nordic skiing team also achieved a notable third place in a relay event, marking their first podium finish in a World Cup since 2011. At the same time, the German women's team also shattered their seven-year World Cup podium drought in Gällivare, Sweden.
