Race in Trondheim
First World Cup victory: cross-country skier Carl triumphs
Cross-country skier Victoria Carl has won her first World Cup race. photo
© Terje Pedersen/NTB Scanpix/AP/dpa
Victoria Carl is getting better and better. The cross-country skier celebrates her World Cup victory debut in Norway. She cannot hold the numerous prizes for this at the same time at the award ceremony.
Cross-country skier Victoria Carl celebrated her first victory in the World Cup.
The 28-year-old team sprint Olympic champion sensationally prevailed over ten kilometers in the classic technique ahead of Rosie Brennan from the USA and the Swede Ebba Andersson. Carl’s lead over second place was 19.6 seconds after an impressive run.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Carl in the winner’s interview. “I’m really very happy.” When the top three were honored in Trondheim, Norway, where the next World Championships will take place in 2025, she laughed almost constantly. She couldn’t hold onto her prizes – a bouquet of flowers, a picture frame and a large piece of cheese from a sponsor – all at the same time.
Carl established himself at the top of the world
A few minutes earlier, Carl had collapsed to the ground at the finish, completely exhausted. Her teammates already congratulated her, but Carl still had to wait for the official result. In the chair for the current leader, she repeatedly covered her face with her hands in disbelief. “I don’t know how I did it,” she said. “The skis fit really well today.”
Carl is increasingly establishing himself at the top of the world. The athlete from Zella-Mehlis finished sixth in the skiathlon on Saturday. She came fifth in the sprint. Just last weekend, Carl took third place for the first time on the podium in an individual World Cup.
“This also motivates us for the Tour de Ski,” she said after her victory. “Now I’ll charge my battery over Christmas and then the tour comes.” The Tour de Ski takes place from December 30th to January 7th in Toblach (Italy), Davos (Switzerland) and Val di Fiemme (Italy).