Mikko Kokslien has added a new win to his collection:
the 28-year-old secured his national title in a
dominating fashion after the ski jumping competition
ahead of Magnus Moan and Ole Martin Storlien.
After the ski jumping competition which had to be
moved from Lillehammer to Midtstubakken in Oslo
due to the snow situation, Ha*vard Klemetsen had
been in the lead, being awarded 127,4 points for
his 97-metre jump. Audun Hokholt claimed an intermediate
second rank with 99 metres and 121,5 points. Kokslien,
who is mostly know for his strong cross-country
performances, showed a compelling effort on the
hill already, ranking as intermediate third (95
m; 118,3 p.)
Originally, Jan Schmid had been in the lead after
the ski jumping part but was disqualified after
the equipment control, along with Espen Andersen
and J?rgen Graabak.
For the cross-country race in Beitost?len, this
meant a starting order with Ha*vard Klemetsen holding
a head start of 24 seconds over Audun Hokholt and
36 over Kokslien. Talent Jarl Magnus Riiber once
again showed a glimpse of his potential, going out
on the track as fourth of the 25 starters, 38 seconds
behind Klemetsen. The other national team members
Magnus Krog and Magnus Moan started from ranks 9
(+01:14) and 13 (+01:40).
In the race, Moan started an impressive hunt for
the top ranks and set the fastest cross-country
time of 21:14,8 for the 10 kilometre course, improving
11 ranks. But ultimately, none of his teammates
could pose any serious threat to Kokslien, who powered
around the cross-country course in the second-fastest
time to finish a clear 51,9 seconds before Moan.
Ole Martin Storlien also began the season in a promising
fashion, holding on to a podium finish by crossing
the finish line 57,1 seconds after Kokslien. Magnus
Krog finally finished fourth, Klemetsen fifth.
