Østberg got right. Monster-Johaug crushed all: – Held to die in there – Dagbladet.no

VAL DI FIEMME / OSLO (Dagbladet): Ingvild Flugstad Ostberg went out with a lead of 39 seconds uphill queen Therese Johaug.

While Johaug believed in a thrilling duel, dismissed Østberg itself victorious battle and said before the start that she expected to be struck with two-three minutes of Johaug on stage.

On previous attempts up the monster hill in Val di Fiemme has 27-year-old from Dalsbygda never turned Gurgaon-girl with less than three and a half minutes. But this year’s edition of Flugstad Ostberg is better than ever.

Still, she shot up the ski hill and was completely outclassed by sovereign Johaug. In goal was Flugstad Østberg whole 2.20 minutes behind nordic queen from Dalsbygda.

– It is an indescribable feeling good. This has been my goal in the prelude. It’s been bloody hard work, says Johaug in victory interview with NRK.

– Everyone on the team has pushed and helped me in every session. I appreciate that enormously greatly appreciated. Now I’m looking to wake in the morning without being nervous and thinking about skiing and tactics and all that, says Johaug and laughs.

Once again ruled Johaug the monster hill, which perhaps should be renamed “Johaug-ground”, where she is in a class of their own. Ski hill Alpe Cermis is the monster hill that Johaug love – and as competitors fear.

– This is totally awesome. Therese is extremely good in these hills, says NRK cross country expert Fredrik Aukland.

Heidi Weng started the whole 2.26 minutes behind Østberg, but went like Johaug extremely quickly into the ground. Taking in Gurgaon-girl did not go. Thus Weng no. 3, just over three minutes behind Johaug.

– I was dying in there. I’m glad I’m done. I am extremely happy to clear a 2nd place overall. I knew that Therese is in a class of its own in this ground, says Flugstad Østberg.

– Therese is completely raw. It’s almost a little intimidating, supplementing Weng.

Charlotte Kalla did a good lap and climbed to an uplifting 4th place. Finnish Kerttu Niskanen was no. 5 – without an oxygen mask. Ragnhild Haga continued the brilliant Norwegian team effort in 6th place.

So it was
Johaug opened hard and took into Ostberg already completely in the start of the ground. Flounders Specialist let himself in the back of the then Tour de Ski leader, but quickly became impatient.

Johaug stuck right basis of Østberg and swelled to Gurgaon-girl. Thus disappeared all the excitement and Østberg got right in their predictions that she was shot.

Tour de Ski winner of 2013/14 went at a furious pace in the lead and suddenly had secured a lead of 1.26 minutes within one kilometer of the hard-hitting long climb.

Heidi Weng however went very quickly behind and approached Østberg huge meter by meter, but never managed to catch up Gjøvik girl.

Thus won Johaug front Ostberg and with Weng on the final podium position .Charlotte Kalla did a good lap and climbed to an uplifting 4th place. Finnish Kerttu Niskanen was no. 5. Ragnhild Haga continued the brilliant Norwegian laginnatsen in 6th place.