Ecuador debuts at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics with Klaus Jungbluth Rodríguez
Ecuador debuts in the early hours of Friday at the Winter Olympics with the participation of skier Klaus Jungbluth Rodríguez in the 15km freestyle cross-country skiing (Ski cross country 15 km) event, at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre circuit. This will be Klaus' debut at Pyeongchang-2018.
The course will have a demanding circuit of two laps of 7.5 km, with 33% flat, 33% uphill, and 33% downhill, the latter data provided by the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee.
A total of 119 skiers from 63 countries will compete for the gold, including the athlete from Guayaquil ranked No. 107. The athletes start with a 30-second interval.
Jungbluth himself informed through his Twitter account that the race will start at 01:00 Ecuador time (15:00 Pyeongchang time), but his departure is scheduled for 15:53 local time as determined by the organization. The first to depart will be Czech skier Michal Novak.
During his last training session at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre on Thursday, Klaus recorded a message showing the finish line of the circuit.
"Hello, Ecuador (...) Be sure that when we cross the finish line, we will have given our all to make the best performance and raise the name of Ecuador high. Greetings to everyone and thank you for your support," wrote the Olympic skier.
VIDEO | Last training in the stadium where the 15km circuit is located.
The competition starts at 01:00 Ecuador time on Feb 16.
I appreciate all the messages of support and blessings I receive from you.
GO ECUADOR!! #Peongchang2018 #TodosSomosKlaus OLYMPICS pic.twitter.com/saKPhNql5S— Klaus Jungbluth (@KlausJungbluth_) February 15, 2018
In another tweet, he introduced his Norwegian coach, Vider Johansen, who was waxing the skis that he will use in the early hours of Friday in Ecuador.
RTS will broadcast the competition. (D)
Norwegian coach Vider Johansen prepares the skis that our athlete @KlausJungbluth_ will use a few hours before his debut at @pyeongchang2018 #TodosSomosKlaus pic.twitter.com/KfMadrOmiZ
— Comite_Olimpico_Ecu (@ECUADORolimpico) February 15, 2018