It was challenging conditions in Oberstdorf, WC venue two seasons ago, where a single track was all the riders had to ride in. Add to that a bunch of plus degrees.
Leo Johansson threw in the towel before the start due to cold symptoms.
Today's big exclamation point was Sågmyra SK's Calle Halfvarsson, 13th in the summary before the competition, who opened strongly.
Already at the first intermediate time he was in the lead, four seconds ahead of the giant Kläbo from Norway.
Halfvarsson held the lead until passing 3.6 kilometers, and after half the race he was second, two seconds behind Kläbo.
But then Halfvarsson fell silent.