Cross-country skiing – Ruka: Vermeulen fifth after strong mass start

Austria’s cross-country skier Mika Vermeulen delivered another strong performance in Ruka, taking fifth place in the men’s World Cup mass start.

After spending long stretches at the front in a two-man break with Sweden’s Edvin Anger, the Styrian was still leading after 16 of 20 kilometers, with the chasers 13 seconds behind. In the closing phase, however—about 1.2 km from the finish—the Norwegian group bridged across in windy conditions and the pace proved decisive.

Harald Østberg Amundsen won in 44:42.5, ahead of fellow Norwegian Einar Hedegart (+1.9) and Edvin Anger (+2.3). Vermeulen finished fifth, 8.4 seconds behind the winner and 6.1 seconds off the podium. Austria’s Tobias Ganner also scored points in 43rd.

Vermeulen was positive despite missing his target: he had believed a win—or at least the podium—was possible, especially after opening the season with third place in Friday’s 10 km classic. He noted that the wind and time losses after the long descent made it “almost impossible” to stay away to the line, but said he had no regrets about the aggressive strategy.