Federico Pellegrino immediately out of the World Cup

Federico Pellegrino out

No dice for the Azzurri in the classic technique sprint at the World Championships in Planica. Federico Pellegrino fights back in his fourth, but cannot hold his own against Calle Halfvarsson and Even Northug, with Richard Jouve managing to slip in front of the Valdostan policeman, leaving him in fourth, with a time not worth passing the round as a lucky looser. Simone Mocellini also tries in the first part of his heat, but finds a Lucas Chanavat in great form, as well as Paal Goldberg, who pass the round. In Francesco De Fabiani’s fourth, a clash between Sweden’s Marcus Grate, Miha Simenc and Haavard Taugboel looks suspicious, but the jury does not intervene and De Fabiani is excluded. Absolute dominance of Johannes Klaebo in the final, and the Norwegian goes on to win his third consecutive World Championship. Silver medal for the other Norwegian Paal Goldberg and bronze for Frenchman Jules Chappaz.

“I accept my limits,” Pellegrino said, “I’ve always done that, it’s only in this way that I can go further and recharge myself for the next races and get better and better. I wanted more from today’s race, at least to be in the top 12, like 12 years ago, and maybe dream of going a little further. That was not the case; there were stronger athletes than me in the race. I did the best I could, both in the approach and in the race. I will try to be lighter in my skiing, I am working on that. For today, honor to those who went stronger.”