Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen won the women’s 10km individual start classic race at the Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup at Beitostølen, Norway, on Saturday in a strong display of pace control.
Having stayed in the top three for the first 3km, the 34-year-old had the best time coming out of the first 5km lap and kept her lead for the remainder of the race. Norway’s Anne Kjersti Kalvå finished second, 12.7 seconds behind the winner, as Sweden’s Frida Karlsson claimed the third place.
It was Niskanen’s first World Cup win this season and the fourth in her career – all of which have come at the same distance. After her triumph, the 10km classic specialist however claimed that this is not her strongest event.
“Of course my favourite is classic and maybe 30km is the best one but I also like the 10km,” Niskanen said.
The win meant a redemption for her only previous competition at Beitostølen, in December 2018, when she had to settle for a 33rd-place in the 15km free.
“Last time that I was here I was really tired and out and now I’m back here to take a win feels really, really good,” Niskanen said.
