“I think this was my very best performance this season,” John Kristian Dahl (NOR) said after his third place finish at Birkebeinerrennet on Saturday.
“It was a fantastic trip across the mountains. It was hard, but really fun,” said the Madshus marathon team racer.
Dahl, who won the 2014 Vasaloppet as a rookie to the long-distance racing circuit, had looked forward to race his first Birkebeiner last year. But his dream was sidelined by a windstorm that forced race organizers to cancel the 2014 Birkebeiner. Accordingly, Dahl was double stoked to race the legendary 54-kilometer event from Rena to Lillehammer this year, even though he suspects his fitness was better last year.
“I am not quite at the same level I was last year, but I‘m really happy with the race overall,” Dahl said.
The former national team sprint specialist chose to race without grip wax, given the firm tracks and icy conditions. But Dahl admits that the hilly course was a challenge, especially in the first half of the race.
“It was definitely tough, particularly the first part up to Skramstad, where my main competitors had a huge advantage being able to stride where I had to double-pole,” said Dahl, who still doesn’t regret going without.
“I had amazing skis,” he said with a grin.
In addition to Dahl’s podium finish, the Madshus marathon team had three other racers among the top nine. Stanislav Rezac (CZE), who was third in the Vasaloppet two weeks ago, was fifth in the Birkebeiner. Oyestein Pettersen (NOR) was eighth and Tore Bjoerseth Berdal (NOR) was ninth.
Pettersen also earned back the green Ski Classics sprint jersey, and hopes to defend that jersey in the 2015 Ski Classics final next weekend. That race takes place in Aare (SWE) on Saturday, March 29.