The World Cup in cross-country skiing usually looks like a pure Norwegian championship on the men's side. So it's a matter of taking advantage when the actual Norwegian championships keep several of the top names from Norway away, which was the case last weekend when the World Cup competitions in Les Rousses clashed with the national Norwegian competitions.
Edvin Anger did it on Saturday, when he became the first Swedish male cross-country skier since 2021 to win individually in the World Cup.
Set on victory
Just a day later, it was time again, when William Poromaa repeated the success in the mass start, 20 kilometers in classical style.
It's completely crazy. You've been waiting your whole life for this moment. It's a big day for me, says Poromaa in the victory interview directly after the race.
A little later, he develops his feelings in the TV broadcast:
A lot of my motivation today, I have to honestly say, came from Edvin's performance yesterday. It was real fuel for today. I wanted to show that I can also be there, says Poromaa to Viaplay.
There are a lot of emotions. But right now, I'm just incredibly grateful for everything with the team and everything around it. It's never been more fun to be part of this team than it is now.
National team coach surprised
Together with Finland's Iivo Niskanen and Norway's Simen Hegstad Krüger, he broke away from the rest of the large leading group during the last kilometers. In the end, it became a sprint finish with Niskanen – the only one besides the Swedes who has managed to snatch victory from the Norwegians in winter – and there Poromaa was the stronger of them.
The victory is his first individual in the World Cup. Last time he was on the podium was over a year ago when he became second on 15 kilometers classical in Val di Fiemme, during Tour de Ski.
National team coach Anders Byström to Viaplay:
It's big that he gets his first World Cup victory here. We maybe didn't believe that. He's had a pretty tough start to the season, but now he's striking, says Byström.
Jens Burman became 14th, Calle Halfvarsson 16th, Edvin Anger 20th, Gustav Kvarnbrink 34th and Truls Gisselman 35th.
