William Poromaa was in the tight group for a long time but lost after the change of skis when three Norwegians pulled away. Then the 22-year-old fought against Pål Golberg for fourth place but had to give in to a sprint duel and finished fifth, just over 30 seconds off the podium.
– It was sad, I couldn’t handle it today, but they were too strong. They increased the speed of the skate and I knew I had to join if I want to get a medal, but I couldn’t do it, so it’s just home and training, says William Poromaa to SVT Sport.
After the finish, Poromaa was disappointed and drove into an advertising sign in the goal area. He got his foot stuck before being helped up by his Norwegian competitors.
– I don’t know what happened, I was just going to stop and the ski hit so I fell, but it went well. I have adrenaline now and it feels good, so there should probably be no danger with the foot, says William Poromaa.
Halfvarsson finished sixth
In his first WC two years ago, Poromaa finished ninth in the skiathlon and in Planica the Swede was chasing a medal but failed to reach the podium. Fifth was his best placing in the WC.
Calle Halfvarsson, who finished fifth in Thursday’s sprint, was sixth, while Jens Burman finished eleventh. The Swedish duo was at the top during the first half of the race, but when the Norwegians increased the pace, they had to give up.
– I made a bad ski change, me and Jens stood next to each other and I don’t know if we stressed each other. I rambled a bit and the seconds fly by when you start rambling. You want to be up there on the podium, but I’m quite happy with sixth place, says Halfvarsson to SVT Sport.
