Cross-country skiing Olympic champion Katharina Hennig defeats the competition in the Tour de Ski on the home stretch in Val di Fiemme. The 26-year-old celebrates the first German World Cup victory in almost 14 years and her first ever. The national coach cheers enthusiastically.
Olympic champion Katharina Hennig has ensured the first World Cup victory for a German cross-country skier since 2009. On the penultimate stage of the Tour de Ski, the 26-year-old won her “favorite race” in Val di Fiemme over 15 kilometers in classic style ahead of Swede Frida Karlsson. Most recently, on March 20, 2009, Claudia Nystad won a German individual over 2.5 kilometers in Falun.
On the home stretch, Hennig left everyone behind and finished ahead of Karlsson, Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen and Rosie Brennan from the USA. “Now I’ll just cuddle the family and be happy with them,” said the beaming winner. “I’m just happy that it worked today,” added the Saxon, who was on the podium for the sixth time in her career – for the third time in Val di Fiemme: “It was very hard, but I really felt physically felt good. I’m just happy, that’s good for all of us.” After Olympic gold in the team sprint and Olympic silver in the relay – each in 2022 in Beijing – it is the greatest success in Hennig’s career.
After 44:26.7 minutes, Hennig was 0.7 seconds ahead of Karlsson, the leader in the overall standings, and Olympic silver medalist Kerttu Niskanen from Finland (0.8). Laura Gimmler (53.6) and Pia Fink (53.8) were also convincing in places 14 and 15. “What she showed today was unique. The fact that she stayed calm here and followed the tactics of the coaches is great. It’s really great what she did there,” said the enthusiastic team boss Peter Schlickenrieder on ZDF.
In the overall standings, Hennig climbed to fourth place before the final ascent to Alpe Cermis on Sunday. In the history of the Tour, no German runner has achieved a top five result in the final. Hennig’s starting position is excellent. “Of course I trust her, but she should enjoy it tomorrow, what’s left is an encore,” said Schlickenrieder. “Katharina has delivered everything she dreamed of.”
