On ne sait pas si la perspective des prochains JO à Sochi boostent à ce point tous les fondeurs Russes mais leurs résultats ici à Erzurum sont tout simplement fantastiques.

Aujourd'hui Mariya Gushina, 38e du dernier Tour de Ski, a très largement dominé le 10km classique des mondiaux U23. La Russe empoche sa première médaille à ce niveau. Elle passe la ligne en 29'23 et devance sa compatriote Polina Medvedeva de 26sec.

Medvedeva avait de son côté 18e du Tour en prenant notamment la 8e place lors de l'étape en classique de Val di Fiemme.

Le podium est complété par la Norvégienne Martine Ek Hagen. Deux ans plus jeunes que les deux Russes Ek Hagen avait terminé seconde du 10km des mondiaux juniors l'an passé, elle avait également gagné le relais avec ses coéquipières. On l'a vu cette année prendre une bonne 23e place en coupe du monde à Otepaa.

La Norvégienne termine à 28sec de Gushina et sauve sa place sur le podium pour seulement 0.4sec face à la Suédoise Emma Wiken. L'Américaine Sadie Bjornsen se classe 5e à 34sec.

Ensuite c'est Manon Locatelli qui vient à nouveau s'installer parmi les meilleures de sa génération en prenant une excellente 6e place à 1min01. Grande spécialiste du style classique, la fondeuse de Meaudre a frappé fort et réussi de très beaux mondiaux. Célia Aymonier se classe 24e à 2min14.

A noter que la température était à nouveau très froide ce matin à Erzurum avec -19°C !

Les réactions (source FIS)

Mariya Guschina (RUS)
"I do not know what is the secret I won today. The second part of the competition was very difficult. I am good at distance races and I like classical technique. This was my most favorite race today. My tactics was to be building up the pace. I was pushing very hard in the second lap. I wanted to go as fast as possible in the last 5 km of the competition. When I heard I could win, I  got extra motivated and I was working even harder. Before the World Championships we were training in the high altitude in Bulgaria at 2.000 m. I'm quite well prepared for the high altitude in Erzurum, nevertheless it is difficult to compete here.  There is a great team spirit in our squad. Everybody is working very hard. Coaches, service as well as athletes are trying their best. That is why Russians skiers have collected so many medals here."

Polina Medvedeva (RUS)
"I am very happy about silver medal. I am not disappointed I missed the gold medal. This is my first medal at the Junior/U23 World Ski Championships. I expected to by fighting with Mariya (Guschina) for the podium. It was a tough fight with her from the beginning of the competition. It feels great to be on the podium with her. We share our big day together. The 5 km lap is very hard here in Erzurum but the track was prepared in the perfect way "
 
Martine Ek Hagen (NOR)
"I am very happy about the bronze medal. I was very tired at the end of the race. It could have been fourth place but also silver medal. I did not know about Emma Wiken's strong performance. I knew about two Russian girls. When I crossed the finish line I was very relieved I claimed the bronze medal. It was very tight between me and Emma. I went wrong in the second lap. If I had lost the medal because of that mistake I would have been very disappointed. I never competed in such high altitude. It has been tough but quite OK for me. "

Le classement complet ICI

Photo : Nordic Focus