Despite Qualifying Exit: DSV Star on Historical Podium Course

Despite Qualifying Exit: DSV Star on Historical Podium Course

Victoria Carl comes to Tallinn for the sprint but does not advance past the qualifying round—yet still takes a step toward potential podium placement in the overall standings.

Despite being eliminated in the sprint qualifications, Olympic champion Victoria Carl is closer to achieving the historic first podium placement for a German cross-country skier in the overall World Cup rankings. The 29-year-old Thuringian missed out on the top 30 knockout rounds in Tallinn on Wednesday in freestyle but comfortably held her second place in the overall standings, following the exit of her closest contender, Kerttu Niskanen (Finland), in the qualifications. The Norwegian star Astrid Oyre Slind was also not in action.

With just two more season races scheduled for the upcoming weekend in Lahti, Carl (1659 points) remains ahead of Niskanen (1529 points) and Slind (1515 points). American Jessie Diggins had already claimed the overall World Cup for the third time last weekend. Since the introduction of the World Cup in the 1979/80 season, no German skier has finished among the top three in the final standings. Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle finished fourth two times (2002/03 and 2005/06).

The day's victory in the Estonian capital was secured by Swiss Nadine Fähndrich. Coletta Rydzek reached the finals for the second time this season, finishing fifth. Meanwhile, Norway's top star Johannes Høsflot Kläbo celebrated his 96th World Cup victory.