Thrilling Sprint in the Swedish Championship Mass StartThrilling Sprint in the Swedish Championship Mass Start Linn Sömskar emerged victorious in a dramatic sprint finish at the mass start of the Swedish Championship. In a race that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Sömskar surged ahead in the final stretch to secure the win. Women’s Race The 15-kilometer freestyle mass start saw a large group remain together for the first four laps. Sömskar, along with Moa Hansson, Ebba Stenman, and Ella Selmosson, then broke away to form a solid quartet in the fifth lap. As the race progressed, Selmosson dropped back, leaving just three women battling for the lead. Stenman pushed the pace closer to the finish line, but with 300 meters remaining, Hansson made her move. However, Hansson encountered some misfortune as she slipped on her roller ski and her bib got stuck in a pole. This allowed Sömskar, the reigning World Cup winner on roller skis, to seize the opportunity. “It was fun, but also very tough,” said Sömskar. “I tried to hold on as long as possible and then hoped for the good old form in the sprint.” Men’s Race Earlier in the day, Eric Rosjö pulled away early in the men’s mass start and maintained a dominant lead to claim victory. Karl-Johan Westberg and Alfred Buskqvist finished second and third, respectively. Swedish Championship Week The roller skiing portion of the Swedish Championship Week concludes on Saturday with a freestyle sprint. Results Women’s Mass Start 1. Linn Sömskar, Umeå, 42:07.4 2. Moa Hansson, Falun Borlänge, +0.1 3. Ebba Stenman, Umeå, +6.0 4. Ella Selmosson, Falun Borlänge, +15.9 5. Johanna Hägg, Finspång, +55.3 6. Mira Göransson, Borås, +55.6 Men’s Mass Start 1. Eric Rosjö, Mora, 35:36 2. Karl-Johan Westberg, Borås, +41.1 3. Alfred Buskqvist, Stern, +41.4 4. Simon Karlsson, Umeå, +41.5 5. Gustaf Berglund, Mora, +41.7
“I was very lucky at the end,” Sömskar tells SVT about the sprint finish at the mass start of the Swedish championship.
A few hours ago, in the men’s race, Eric Rosjö pulled away early and went home with a superior victory.
The women’s race was even more exciting in the 15-kilometre freestyle mass start race. After being in a large group for the first four laps, Linn Sömskar picked up the pace in the fifth lap and formed a solid quartet, including Moa Hansson, Ebba Stenman and Ella Selmosson.
Selmosson continued until there was only a kilometer left, after which Stenman increased the speed, causing Selmosson to drop.
With 300 meters to go, Moa Hansson broke away and it looked like Hansson had the grip, but first she slipped on her roller ski and her bib got stuck in the pole.
Then Linn Sömskar, last season’s World Cup winner on roller skis, could sneak by:
“It was fun, but also very tough. It was very windy, so taking as little wind as possible was important. I tried to hold on as long as possible and then hoped for the good old form in the sprint,” smiled Sömskar in the victory interview with SVT.
“In the end I was very lucky,” says Sömskar humbly.
Third place went to Ebba Stenman, six seconds off the win.
On Saturday, the roller skiing part of the Swedish Championship Week in Västerås ends with a freestyle sprint.
Swedish Championship Week – Rollerski Mass Start
- Linn Sömskar, Umeå, 42:07.4
- Moa Hansson, Falun Borlänge, +0.1
- Ebba Stenman, Umeå, +6.0
- Ella Selmosson, Falun Borlänge, +15.9
- Johanna Hägg, Finspång, +55.3
- Mira Göransson, Borås, +55.6
HERE YOU WILL FIND THE RESULTS
Earlier in the day it was time for the men’s mass start race.
Read more: Rosjö superior in mass start at Swedish championship
Swedish Championship Week – Rollerski Mass Start
- Eric Rosjö, Mora, 35:36
- Karl-Johan Westberg, Borås, +41.1
- Alfred Buskqvist, Stern, +41.4
- Simon Karlsson, Umeå, +41.5
- Gustaf Berglund, Mora, +41.7
HERE YOU WILL FIND THE RESULTS
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