Cross-country skiing Olympic champion Victoria Carl came back strongly after her weak start to the Tour de Ski and narrowly missed the podium on the third stage.
The 29-year-old came fourth in the 20 km freestyle race in Toblach and equaled her best result of the season.
Carl was 27.8 seconds behind the Norwegian Astrid Öyre Slind, who turned up the heat in the last few kilometers and beat her compatriot Therese Johaug by 3.3 seconds.
The Finnish Kerttu Niskanen came third, 7.5 seconds ahead of Carl.
Carl can’t keep up the pace
Carl, who started early, started very quickly, initially set all the interim records and was clearly ahead at the finish. But she wasn’t able to keep up the pace at the back. The second best German was Pia Fink in 14th place.
Defending champion Jessie Diggins (USA) continues to lead the overall Tour standings, but in sixth place she lost her lead and is now only 22 seconds ahead of Niskanen. Carl moved up from 23rd place to tenth.
On Sunday there will be a 15 km classic pursuit race in Toblach, and from Friday the tour will continue in Val di Fiemme.
Source: www.sport.de
