The fastest Pole, Dominik Bury, finished 28th, 2 minutes, 26.1 seconds behind Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov, who won the men’s three-stage season opener in Ruka, Finland.
Bolshunov's countryman Sergey Ustiugov was second and another teammate Artem Maltsev was third to complete an all-Russian podium after a number of athletes, including the entire Norwegian team, withdrew from the race amid cold temperatures in the far north of Finland.
Meanwhile, the fastest Polish woman, Izabela Marcisz, placed 29th among 48 finishers, 4 minutes, 7.4 seconds behind the winner, Therese Johaug of Norway.
Sweden’s Frida Karlsson was second and Norway’s Heidi Weng was third.
The women’s Ruka Triple consisted of a 1.4km sprint classic event on Friday, a 10km interval-start classic race on Saturday, and Sunday’s 10km pursuit freestyle race.
Former Czech star skier Lukáš Bauer in 2019 took over as head coach of the Polish men’s national cross-country skiing team.
Lukáš Bauer. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Momot
Meanwhile, the women's team is coached by Slovak Martin Bajčičák, a five-time winter Olympian who last year replaced Aleksander Wierietielny, the man behind the successful career of Poland's cross-country ski legend Justyna Kowalczyk.
Martin Bajčičák (right), head coach of the Polish women’s national cross-country skiing team, with the team's previous coach, Aleksander Wierietielny (left). Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Momot
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Source: Eurosport, PAP