Katharina Hennig fourth in the skiathlon, Victoria Carl and Laura Gimmler fourth in the team sprint: the German cross-country skiers shine at the world championships, the hoped-for medal is getting closer. Especially in the season, the team can calculate something.
When Victoria Carl reached the finish line in fourth with her last strength, Peter Schlickenrieder appreciatively took off his hat. "It's a shame that it's only the wood medal again. But they fought and at some point it pays off in precious metal," said the enthusiastic cross-country national coach after an exciting team sprint. For Carl and Laura Gimmler it was just not enough for the podium at the World Championships in Planica, just like the day before for Katharina Hennig in the skiathlon.
"I gave more than I had, so I can't blame myself. I still have a weird feeling in my head," said Gimmler, who collapsed on her last lap. Final runner Carl, who won gold in the team sprint alongside Hennig at the 2022 Olympics, was unable to catch up. The last German cross-country medal at a World Championships is the relay bronze in 2011 by the men.
Olympic champion Hennig did not do the team sprint because she was already in action in the skiathlon on Saturday. There she was just 5.3 seconds off the podium after 15 kilometers. "This fourth place shimmers like a medal for me. I'm overjoyed, you couldn't be happier about fourth place," said the woman from Oberwiesenthal.
The wait for precious metal continues, but Hennig and Co. can count on something, especially in the women's relay on Thursday. However, Schlickenrieder was rather cautious on Sunday. "I have doubts that it will work here," said the DSV coach. In the World Cup dress rehearsal, however, the women's quartet had convinced in second place before a reporting error led to disqualification.
Meanwhile, the Scandinavians also shared gold at the weekend. The Swedes Jonna Sundling and Emma Ribom, who had already won individual gold and silver on Thursday, won the women's team sprint. Team colleague Ebba Andersson had previously triumphed in the skiathlon. In the men's race, Johannes Hösflot Kläbo won his second gold in Planica alongside Paal Golberg, and in the team sprint it was even the fifth title for the superstar in the fifth major event in a row.
