Eugene. Severe heat chased the lanes of recent tournaments.
But in Eugene, there’s no doubt about starting in the middle of the night or moving to a cooler start time. Here, men walk 20 kilometers starting at 15.00 in the scorching sun and barely 30 degrees.
– I think it’s good, says Perseus Karlstrom.
When Perseus Karlstrom Ranked third in the World Cup in 2019, it was 1:30 at night to avoid the worst temperatures in Doha. At the Olympics, the trails were forced to go to Sapporo to escape the sweltering Tokyo heat.
But in Eugene it was completely rebuilt. Because even if the marathon and the longer walking distances, 35 kilometers, are specified, starting from 06 local time, this will not be taken into account in the initial 20 kilometer race. The trails start at 15.00, so you’ll be out during the hottest 80 minutes of the day.
“Fabulous”
Unbelievable they put it on at three o’clock. We’ve been out at that time and have trained the last few days and the air is flapping, says mum and national team captain Seif Karlstrom.
However, Perseus chose to view it favorably.
– I think it’s good. Partly for the public and partly for those who are not prepared for the heat. It’s a positive for me because I did. The temperature should be 29 degrees but not too high.
Looking at 29 degrees and the sun, should it look good?
– Yes, of course. He says I am in very good shape and it will be hard to beat.
If he is able to upgrade his bronze from Doha, he will likely have to defeat two former Japanese favorites Koke Ikeda and world champion Toshikazu Yamaneshi.
– It will be interesting, it’s the first time these guys have competed in tournaments outside of Asia. Historically, all Japanese infantrymen had problems with it. But of course they are preferred.
Japanese tactics seen
He’s pretty sure of how the race will develop. Yes, even if a decisive jerk is introduced.
– We’ll see if the hero makes a classic and tries to knit in twelve kilometers.
Looks like you see this tactic already?
– Yeah, if you do it in every race it’s going to be super easy…but we’ll see when he sticks but he’ll probably try to make a move.
He often drives a kilometer hard and then comes back up but if there’s a gap it’s difficult. It is important not to let him go. It is better to be at a distance of 17-18 kilometers because then he knows that he has a weak enemy.
If he succeeds, he could give the Swedish team the start of their World Cup dream.
– It would be fun to start the World Cup this way. As he says, I want a really good start to the World Cup and give the Swedish national team that too.
The 20km walk begins at midnight the night before Saturday Swedish time.
