Skistad and Klaebo make it a Norway sprint double in Lahti as Rydzek (GER) and Grond (SUI) claim first podiums

The women’s sprint followed a similar pattern to recent races, with in-form Jonna Sundling setting far and away the fastest qualifying time. She and the other Swedes, Svahn in particular, looked to take Skistad’s trademark sprint finish out of the equation on technically challenging course that made opening up a gap on those behind very difficult.

All three were in Semi-Final 1 but whereas Skistad prefers to establish prime position at the front then slow the pace until the finish, Sundling favours a more relentless approach. This made for a brutal pace with only Svahn appearing to be able to keep up.

But on the final descent, Skistad’s skis appeared to have far superior glide as she moved past the Swedish pair on the inside with ease to cross the line first. Svahn and Sundling would have to settle for fastest loser places in the final as Rydzek also showed her finishing prowess with a late burst to take second.

This forced the Swedes to change tactics in the final, with Sundling hitting the front from the off, only to slow the pace and allow the field to bunch up. This, though, played into the hands of Skistad – and her super-smooth skis – who this time took the lead on the final downhill to win comfortably in a time of 3 minutes, 0,86 seconds. Again, Rydzek put the afterburners on down the home straight to take second ahead of Maja Dahlqvist (SWE) in a photo finish.

“I had very good skis,” Skistad admitted. “My plan was to take them at the end so I’m happy to do that. My body was really quick today so it was fun.”