The World Cup weekend in Ruka, Finland, concludes with 20 km freestyle. And for William Poromaa, the competition offered a surprise.
A white hare ran out onto the track in front of him.
He hung on down the hill and then I thought he disappeared, but then I went up into the dense forest and then he was back. So I almost ran him over on the downhill slope. But it went well, says Poromaa.
He adds:
Nice with a speed hare!
Poromaa best Swedish
Have you experienced anything like that before?
No. But I remember when they were in Canada. I wasn't there myself, but I watched on TV and then there was a dog running on the track. But I've never experienced a hare, says he.
But despite the unexpected help. Poromaa was never particularly close to being able to threaten any podium positions. He finished 15th and became the best Swedish, 31.2 seconds from the top.
It was tough. But I still think it was better than on Friday. I can fight better today. On Friday, it was like I just skied around and looked at the audience almost. It was better even though it was damn tough, says he.
Norwegian dominance
And the rest of the competition then?
There, it was Norway, Norway, and Norway at the top – despite the fact that star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo dropped out half an hour before the race due to cold symptoms. Harald Østberg Amundsen won the race ahead of Jan Thomas Jenssen and Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget.
Jens Burman, who became the best Swedish on a 7th place on the classical mile on Friday, came in 43rd place.
Today was empty. I had a bad body, heavy legs, and I felt that it was energy-empty. Then it's hard to ski fast at this level, says Burman.
