Heidi Weng (NOR) swept up the final podiums before the World Cup takes a break for Christmas.
On Saturday, Weng won the 10-kilometer World Cup skate race in La Clusaz (FRA). On Sunday, she anchored Norway to first place in the relay.
Ad while Weng won the 10-kilometer on Saturday, Madshus teammate Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR) was third.
“I didn’t expect to win today. I had to give it everything I had left. I knew I had to be in 1st or 2nd position coming into the finish stretch if I wanted to win. Toward the end of the race, I could still see both Marit (Bjørgen) and Ingvild (Flugstad Østberg), and I thought they would pass me, so it was great to see my name as the winner,” said Weng.
More than just a World Cup podium
With the World Cup victory in La Clusaz, her third for the season so far, Weng reclaims the yellow World Cup leader bib.
The victory on Saturday also earned Weng the anchor leg for the relay on Sunday. The Norwegian women had made a deal prior to the 10km skate race: The skier who placed the best in Saturday’s race would ski the final leg of the relay.
On Sunday, the Norwegian women were back on the top of the podium. Weng anchored Norway to first place in the World Cup relay, after a stellar opening by Østberg on the leg.
The FIS cross-country World Cup now takes a break until the Tour de Ski starts in Switzerland on December 31. The 9-day tour concludes in Val di Fiemme, Italy, on January 8, 2017.