At the Olympic Games in Beijing four years ago, the Swedish sprint relay women had to settle for silver behind Germany. On Wednesday, Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist were in a class of their own in the Tesero cross-country skiing arena.
They were the fastest and third fastest in the morning qualifying and were able to gain respect. When the final began at lunchtime, both defended their narrow starting position in the first leg.
On his second stage, Sundling picked up the pace up the long hill and gained a lead over pursuer Jessie Diggins of the USA. Dahlqvist then closed this gap on his second stage.
On his last stage There was gas at the end for Sundling up the hill and she switched to Dahlqvist, just over eight seconds ahead of Finland in second place.
Maja Dahlqvist kept the lead, but the Swiss Nadine Fähndrich came up quickly on the last climb.
Gold went to Sweden, silver to Switzerland and finally bronze to Germany.
Sundling and Dahlqvist have a good championship history in the sprint relay. Together they have won two World Championship gold medals (as well as another World Championship gold each with a different partner). Now they are also gold medalists in the distance.
The text is updated.
