Jizerská 50, the fourth event in Visma Ski Classics and the second Grand Classics event Season XI took place today. Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team and Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, won the 50 km race. In perfect winter conditions, there were exciting races in both the men’s and women’s race. It was six athletes…

Jizerská 50, the fourth event in Visma Ski Classics and the second Grand Classics event Season XI took place today. Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team and Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, won the 50 km race.

In perfect winter conditions, there were exciting races in both the men’s and women’s race.

It was six athletes  in the leading group after the climb point at Smutná Louka after 32,4 km in the men’s race. Ermil Vokuev, Russian Winter Team was first at the climb point followed by Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel of Norway, Oskar Kardin, Team Ragde Eiendom, Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, Petter Eliassen, Team Ragde Eiendom and Maxim Vylegshanin, Russian Winter Team. 

Down towards the finish, Oskar Kardin pushed really hard trying to get a gap with 4 km left He did a second try with 2 km left, but could not manage to get a gap. Then Ermil Vokuev tried with 1 km left, but he couldn’t get away either.

Down towards the finish area, Tord Asle Gjerdalen was in front, but Emil Persson came with high speed from behind and passed him with about 50 meters left, winning the race with 0,3 seconds ahead of Gjerdalen. Vokuev was third, 0,8 seconds behind, Eliassen and Vylegshanin just behind on 4^th and 5^th place. Kardin fell on his way towards the sprint and finished sixth.

“It was a tough race with high speed from the start. When Eliassen pushed hard towards the second climb point, I was so close to lose them. I fought with what I had left in my body, and tried to save as much energy as I could for the final sprint,” says Persson.

“When we came to the finish area I had a really good position, and I managed to get a gap on Gjerdalen. An amazing day,” Persson continues.

Top three in the men’s race. From left: Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Emil Persson and Ermil Vokuev.

In the women’s race Team Ramuddens Lina Korsgren and Ida Dahl, clearly was the strongest skier this day. The duo got away one hour into the race and just pulled away from the other athletes.

“It was a really good race; I had a great body and so good help from my teammate Ida. She was so strong today. It was so fun to do this with Ida, says Lina Korsgren.

“I’m really really happy with the race. First, I thought we would wait until the men caught us up, but after the sprint, I felt so strong and I just wanted to get rid of the other girls. I pushed hard, and everybody except of Lina let me go,” says Ida Dahl.

Katerina Smutna, ed System Bauer Team, was third three minutes and 42 seconds behind Korsgren and Dahl

Top three in the women’s race. From left: Ida Dahl, Lina Korsgren and Katerina Smutna.

Both Emil Persson and Lina Korsgren keep the Grand Slam possibility alive with their victories today.

Emil Persson and Lina Korsgren are still in the lead in the Champion competition. 

Emil Persson and Ida Dahl keeps the lead in the Youth competition, 

Emil Persson and Jenny Larsson keeps the lead in the Sprint competition.

Ermil Vokuev and Lina Korsgren keeps the lead in the Climb competition. 

Team Ramudden tops the Team competition, followed by Lager 157 Ski Team and Russian Winter Team

The next event in Season XI is Vasaloppet in Sweden on March 7, 2021.