Krista Pärmäkoski continued the Tour de Ski with another top effort when she was second in the pursuit start over 20 kilometers with free technique. In the overall results at the Tour, Pärmäkoski rises to fourth ahead of the last three stages.
Dramaturgically, the competition was an entertaining battle between with a Swedish, a Finnish and two Norwegian skaters in the battle for victory. Sweden’s Frida Karlsson did indeed start first in today’s chase start, but with such small time margins it was clear all along that there would be many vying for victory.
At just over 7 kilometers, a trio consisting of Krista Pärmäkoski, Tiril Udnes Weng and Anne Kjersti Kalvå had caught up with the leader Frida Karlsson.
The quartet rode together for a few kilometers, but a little after halfway, Krista Pärmäkoski increased the pace, and Kalvå was forced to give up as the first lady in the top quartet.
A kilometer later in a longer downhill, Weng also fell from the fast pace, and only Karlsson managed to keep up with Pärmäkoski’s pace.
Pärmäkoski and Karlsson rode together all the way to the last long uphill at 18 kilometers when Karlsson pulled away. Pärmäkoski was forced to give up straight away, and Karlsson eventually took a clear victory in the race.
Pärmäkoski took her second straight second place at the Tour as she was 14 seconds behind Karlsson across the finish line.
Of the Norwegian riders, Tirill Udnes Weng was barely better than Kalvå in the fight for third place.
Pärmäkoski, Karlsson and Weng celebrated after the start of the hunt.
Image: IMAGO/Nordphoto/All Over Press
Tour de Ski
Kerttu Niskanen had a tougher day and finished in 15th place, almost two minutes behind Karlsson.
– A really good day. I was a bit tired at the beginning but it was good to ride in the group, and at the end I felt strong, commented Karlsson after the competition.
– I knew that we would catch Karlsson with the Norwegians. Then I thought about the next move for a while. I felt that I had to maintain my speed in view of the overall competition, said Pärmäkoski to Viaplay after the broadcast.
Frida Karlsson is in the clear lead at the Tour de Ski.
Image: EPA-EFE/All Over Press
Frida Karlsson
Karlsson extended his lead on the Tour, and looks to be heading for a clear victory. Behind Karlsson it is very even, because Pärmäkoski is now only a few seconds behind the second Weng, and the third Kalvå in the overall results. The Tour de Ski continues on Friday with the fifth stage in Val di Fiemme.
– It will be nice to have a day in between, before the last stages. I’ll just try to get by, said Pärmäkoski.
Results, chase start 20 km free technique:
1. Frida Karlsson SWE 48.02,6
2. Krista Pärmäkoski FIN + 14.1
3. Tiril Udnes Weng NOR +1.28,0
4. Anne Kjersti Kalvå NOR +1.29,3
5. Patricija Eiduka LAT +1.46,1
6. Teresa Stadlober AUT +1.46,2
7. Eva Urevc SLO +1.47,1
8. Jessica Diggins USA +1.47,4
9. Katharina Hennig GIVES +1.49,1
10. Heidi Weng NOR +1.49,3
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15. Kerttu Niskanen FIN +1.54,7
27. Jasmi Joensuu FIN +2.55,4
28. Anne Kyllönen FIN +3.01,0
The standings at the Tour de Ski after 4/7 stages:
1. Frida Karlsson SWE 1.44.08
2. Tiril Udnes Weng NOR + 1.28
3. Anne Kjersti Kalvå NOR + 1.31
4. Krista Pärmäkoski FIN + 1.41
5. Kerttu Niskanen FIN + 1.55
6. Lotta Udnes Weng NOR + 2.17
7. Katharina Hennig GIVES + 2.31
8. Rosie Brennan USA + 2.36
—
19. Anne Kyllönen FIN + 4.26
21. Jasmi Joensuu FIN + 4.33
Video images from Viaplay
