Lillehammer (NOR): Norway dominates on home soil

Gyda Westvold Hansen is the winner of the women’s first World Cup of the 2023/24 season, ahead of her Norwegian team mates.

The 21-year-old was already in the lead after the Ski Jumping competition on the Lysgårdsbakken HS 98.

Under a blue sky last years Overall World Cup winner jumped 97 meters (134.4 pts) at noon and took the lead. Therefore, she was the first one to start into the first women’s 5 km race of the season.

Rank 2 after jumping went to Mari Leinan Lund, who reached 94 meters (129.8 pts) and went into the course 18 seconds after her team mate. 
Svenja Würth reached the furthest distance of the day with 98.5 meters and collected 126.7 points, placing third 31 seconds behind Hansen.

Due to the low temperatures of -16 degrees in the Birkebeineren stadium, the athletes faced a tough race. 
Hansen went into the course first and kept her pursuers at a safe distance until the end.

Meanwhile, Ida Marie Hagen, who was 6th after the jumping part, proofed her skiing strength one more time. The Norwegian overtook opponent after opponent, racing closer to the top with each kilometer. 
Mari Leinan Lund (+23.3 sec) kept her second place until 2.5 km, while Hagen was already on third rank at this point, 42.6 sec behind Hansen. 
Würth couldn’t keep up with the high speed and fell back, while also Kasai struggled to followed the high speed of the Norwegians.

While Hansen secured her first victory of the season, Hagen (+16.5 sec) overtook Leinan Lund (+32.3 sec) on the last lap and placed second, ahead of her team mate, so that the season started with a podium sweep for team Norway.

Therefore, Hansen is the leader of the Overall standings and will compete in the yellow bib tomorrow.

SJ Results: IG Women HS98/5km – 01.12.23 Lillehammer
Overall Results: IG Women HS98/5km – 01.12.23 Lillehammer