site.btaBulgarians Daniel Peshkov, Mario Matikanov Fail to Advance in 1.6 km Classic Sprint at Olympic Cross-Country Skiing Event

Bulgarians Daniel Peshkov and Mario Matikanov failed to progress past the qualification round of the 1.6-kilometre classic sprint at the Olympic cross-country skiing competition.

Twenty-three-year-old Peshkov, who started 82nd, completed the course in Tesero with the 73rd time of 3:37.69 minutes, which was not enough to reach the quarter-finals later on Tuesday, reserved for the top 30 finishers.

Immediately behind him, in 74th place, finished the 21-year-old Matikanov. Starting with bib number 67, he clocked 3:37.97 minutes and likewise did not qualify for the elimination heats.

The two made their Olympic debut in the skiathlon two days ago.

Defending champion Johannes Klaebo of Norway, who is chasing a seventh Olympic gold medal after already winning the skiathlon at the Milan-Cortina Games two days ago, confirmed his favourite status by posting the fastest qualifying time of 3:07.37 minutes.

The 29-year-old Klaebo, also the winner of the discipline at the last four World Championships, was 2.51 seconds quicker than second-placed Ben Ogden of the United States. Third was Jules Chappaz, bronze medallist in the event at the 2023 World Championships in Planica, with a time of 3:12.86 minutes.

Home favourite Federico Pellegrino, the reigning world and Olympic silver medallist, aged 35, also advanced to the quarter-finals with the 15th fastest time of 3:16.11 minutes.

The final qualifier for the quarter-finals was Johan Haggstrom of Sweden with 3:18.73 minutes.

A total of 93 competitors started the race.

Earlier on Tuesday, in the women’s sprint qualifications, Bulgarian Kalina Nedyalkova finished in 75th place.