Adam Johansson only had to qualify for the quarterfinals to wrap up the overall classification in the men's, but he pushed it to the limit one more time and claimed his fourth stage victory in the Nalati Ski Sprint. Matthias Jonasson was closely behind in second, while Kusti Kittilae secured his runner-up spot in the overall with a place in the semis. It is Johansson's second China Tour de Ski title after 2010.
Adam Johansson only had to qualify for the quarterfinals to wrap up the overall classification in the men’s, but he pushed it to the limit one more time and claimed his fourth stage victory in the Nalati Ski Sprint. Matthias Jonasson was closely behind in second, while Kusti Kittilae secured his runner-up spot in the overall with a place in the semis. It is Johansson’s second China Tour de Ski title after 2010.
The 24-year-old Swede took over the leadership from Kusti Kittilae yesterday in stage 6. Kittilae, winner of the distance races in Xiwuqi and Tianshan Tianchi, was battling illness and did not stand a chance. To some insiders, it was remarkable he lined up for the ski sprint qualification this morning. The Fin scored the eleventh quickest time and would later even make it into the semi finals.
Quite a few eyebrows were raised this morning when China’s Wang Qiang delivered the fastest qualifying time of all participants. Unfortunately, a collision with another skier in the final corner of the quarterfinal destroyed his opportunity for an upset.
Kjartan Helland from Norway also had a very strong day and, along with the inevitable Victor Gustafsson, were tipped to give Johansson a run for his money in the final. Helland turned out to have little juice left and Gustafsson might have been too eager in the early stage. Matthias Jonasson instead came closest to Johansson, but yet to no avail. Nevertheless, his great second place propelled Jonasson into fourth place overall: a podium spot in China.
Links
China Tour de Ski – Final classification – Men
China Tour de Ski – Final classification – Women
Stage 7 – Nalati, Xinyuan, Xinjiang – 1.2km Ski Sprint – Final Men
1. Adam Johansson (SWE)
2. Matthias Jonasson (SWE)
3. Victor Gustafsson (SWE)
4. Kjartan Helland (NOR)
China Tour de Ski – Overall classification – Podium Men
1. Adam Johansson (SWE)
2. Kusti Kittilae (FIN)
3. Bill Impola (SWE)
4. Matthias Jonasson (SWE)
The men’s podium of the 2013 China Tour de Ski
Adam Johansson sprints to take his 4th stage ahead of Matthias Jonasson
Johansson talks to the Chinese press
Victor Gustafsson starts quick: he had a few podium placings on this year’s Tour