Swedish showdown concludes Torsby Roller Ski weekend
Aug 31, 2018·Cross-Country
It was a real show for the Swedish national Rollerski Team when this year's first FIS Rollerski World Cup weekend ended in Torsby (SWE) in Sunday with Swedish victories in all categories.
The FIS Rollerski World Cup premiere and mini tour ended on Sunday with a classic technique pursuit up the legendary Hovfjället, a hill with the inclination of 390 meters during 7 kilometers of skiing.
The victory in the women's junior class went to Moa Hansson. She lost some seconds to the pursuers in the beginning of the race but her victory never was challenged. Hanna Abrahamsson took the second place and could finish her race without a challenge as well. Olivia Ahlm was close for a while in the race but she had to let up when the tempo increased in the steepest sections of the hill. Her third place, however, was never threatened as well. Moa Hansson now leads both the Rollerski World Cup and the STS Roll Cup junior class.
In the women's class, a successful weekend for Linn Sömskar was completed with her win on Sunday. She took full points in Torsby, both in terms of victories and World Cup points. Sandra Olsson was second in the mini tour, and also for her it was a very fine weekend in which she was in the top of all races. Alena Prochazkova (SVK) finished third overall after a spectacular sprint against Johanna Skottheim who finished fourth. Linn Sömskar, of course, leads the World Cup after this weekend's show.
In the men's junior class Leo Johansson controlled the competition all the way and won with over 50 seconds in the end, and with a final time that would have been very respectable also in the senior class. Runner up was Johan Ekberg. Ekberg represented the SWE Rollerski Team for the first time and made a very impressive debut. Aadne Gigernes (NOR) reached the third place.
The men´s category was a real thriller and the wisdom that a ski race is not over until the finish line has been crossed became really evident this time. Robin Norum, who started as second, took the early lead of the race with a high speed tempo. He kept up the speed for the entire hill and despite having a number of skiers on his heels. In the end, he won the mini tour with four seconds before intermediate leader, Pontus Hermansson.
Hermansson had a very impressive weekend. He had success at shorter distances but now that he has more talents than just sprint. The third place went Viktor Thorn after a very strong skiing in the pursuit, where he made his way past several racers. He, however, was not the fastest up Hovfjället this day; it was Tom Fahlén, who was in fourth place in the total mini tour. In the overall World Cup Robin Norum took over the yellow bib from Pontus Hermansson.
