Teamsprint World Champion title defended by Norway's Klæbo & Valnes
Feb 28, 2021·Cross-Country
For the mens Teamsprint the athletes had to remain focussed. With a large group in front and no direct attack to break free as well as soft snow conditions, the athletes remained together for most of the laps to save energy and to stay out of troubles with tangled up skis. Team Finland with Joni Mäki and Ristomatti Hakola had experienced an unfortunate moment when Mäki skied over his pole and fell. The Finnish team managed to catch up time and entered the finals in the “Lucky looser” position.
In the finals, Alexander Bolshunov who was paired up with Gleb Retivykh for Team RSF managed to open up a gap already in his second leg. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who was racing in the same leg as Retivykh managed to catch up margin again and to pass over the leading position to his team colleague Erik Valnes from Team Norway.
The big showdown came in the final round of the anchors as Klæbo and Joni Mäki caught up with Retivykh again. The Norwegian set out on the foot of the Egli hill and left his competitors behind. Despite all efforts, no one could catch up with the current Sprint World Champion.
Team Finland crosses the finish in second position before Team RSF.
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