Cross-country skiing: Stina Nilsson finishes second in Bad Gastein Ski Classics opener

Stina Nilsson opened her Ski Classics long-distance season with a podium in Bad Gastein, Austria, finishing second in the women’s 36 km race.

With a little over 10 km remaining, a lead trio of Stina Nilsson, Anniken Gjerde Alnæs (Team Engcon) and Silje Øyre Slind distanced themselves from the main pack. On the finishing straight, Øyre Slind was the first to drop, leaving Nilsson to challenge Gjerde Alnæs almost to the line. Gjerde Alnæs held on for the victory, with Nilsson taking second place.

“Physically I feel great. I feel very strong. It’s nice to get that confirmation,” Nilsson told SVT Sport. She launched an attack with about 600 meters to go but admitted: “I tried to go for it, but Anniken was the strongest today.”

After the race, the jury reviewed a downhill incident between Nilsson and Jenny Larsson. There was brief uncertainty about whether Nilsson’s podium might be in jeopardy, but the jury ultimately issued her a yellow card while confirming the result. The podium marks Nilsson’s sixth career top-three in Ski Classics.

In the men’s race, Kasper Stadaas (Team Aker Daehlie) claimed the victory.