Anne Margrethe Hausken (NOR) continued her success from the EOC by winning todays WOC sprint with 9 seconds in front of Minna Kauppi (FIN) and Helena Jansson (SWE). – I had some really nice days at the European Champs, but this is a lot better, a very happy Norwegian said after her Gold race.
Tricky first leg
– I tried to tell myself before the race that I was only one of 5 or 6 favourites. I tried to be humble and had a lot of respect for the course today, says Hausken. – I expected something really tricky and some surprises, but I had never expected such a long leg to the first control. I use a lot of time to consider left or right to the first control, a very happy winner continues.
Running all races
– I really wanted to run all the races because I think I have got good chances in all distances. I was more relaxed today because I had more chances. It was the same at the European champs, Hausken says. – I have been free of injuries for more than one year now, and I have focused a lot on technique training. Thierry Gueorgiou was telling us about all his technique training last year, and we have trained a lot of technique now.
Starter for Minna
– It is hard to tell why I lost so much time – maybe the splits will tell, Minna Kauppi says. – This was just a starter. Sprint has not been my best distance, so it was very nice to get a medal here. It takes of the pressure. I like the middle distance best. I have already taken the long distance, so now I have to take the middle distance!