Istomina strongest in ladies U23 10km freestyle competition
FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships continued today with cross country U23 ladies 10 kilometer freestyle competition. Mariya Istomina from Russia won the race with a margin of only two seconds before Finnish Eveliina Piippo.
– It was a really hard and tough race, Istomina told the press.
– In general, leaving last was an advance for me.
Piippo told the press that her tactic was to go first round pretty easy and give it all in on the second round. In her own words, instead of doing that, she started pretty fast but had enough power to keep the same pace all throughout the race.
Both girls will compete in Ulricehamn, Sweden in the World Cup and therefore will not compete again in the Junior World Championships this year.
Norwegian Tiril Udnes Weng was 29,6 seconds behind Istomina and took home the bronze medal.
– The race was really tough. There were a lot of uphills in the course and I like the downhills best, Weng laughed at the press conference.
– The two girls in front of me were lot stronger, so I’m happy about the bronze.
U23 ladies will compete again on Friday when the race will be mass start 15 kilometer classic style.
Photo gallery for JWSC2019 / Photo gallery will be updated during the day.
Photo gredits JWSC2019 / photographer
TOP3 athletes’ comments available on Soundcloud