. world ski news : Dario Cologna races to World Cup glory and wins 20 km Pursuit - 12 March 2011 - 16:19
CROSS COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Dario Cologna found winning shape again and won today's 10+10 km Pursuit. Swiss Olympic Champion and Tour de Ski winner edged out Maurice Manificat of France. Vincent Vittoz rounded of the podium and finished third.
Daniel Rickardsson, Dario Cologna and Lukas Bauer were very active in the classical 10 km. They broke away and built up a decent gap on Tobias Angerer (GER) who leading the chasing group. In the free technique part Roland Clara and Thomas Moriggl produced very strong performance and caught the leading trio. Local hero Matti Heikkinen was pushing hard and led the second chasing group. In the last free technique Vittoz and Manificat moved in front. In the flat section before the stadium Dario Cologna took over the initiative and came first in the home stretch. He was superior in the last 100 m sprint.
Dario Cologna secured victory in the Overall World Cup standing with 1367 points already Before World Cup Final. Petter Northug is second with 894 points and Daniel Rickardsson occupies third place with 816 points. Also the distance World Cup trophy will go to Dario Cologna, he has currently a lead of 150 points while only 100 points will be still awarded. Daniel Rickardsson is on the runner-up position and Lukas Bauer is third.
Weather: Cloudy, +2.5°C
Spectators: 10’000
Quotes
Dario Cologna (SUI)
I’m very satisfied with my race and it is good to be on the podium again. I felt strong today and I knew I could win. It was good to try something and go away with Rickardsson and Bauer. I had good skis in the last downhill. I knew I had a good chance to win. I will be at the start tomorrow. The sprint has long uphill and that suits me. In the last World Cups I want to have fun and enjoy skiing. I have had a good season World Cup victory and Tour de Ski title.
Maurice Manificat (FRA)
I like Lahti. I did not feel good after 50 km Oslo and I was not sure about my shape. The classical part was very hard. Two first laps were very fast when Daniel Rickardsson was pushing hard. I knew it would be difficult to come back in free technique part. We had great skis and in my head I was sure I could comeback. When I did it in the second lap I believed I could be on the podium. Dario had excellent finish and was stronger today.
Vincent Vittoz (FRA)
I’m really happy today. I did not feel good in the classical part. It is my first podium this winter and the season has been difficult for me. I am especially happy that Maurice is on the podium too. I had only one tactic to push hard and give it all. I had great skis. I look forward to Falun. Last three years I had good results there. Third place today gave me confidence before the World Cup Final. We wanted to show our fans today that we can be on the podium after not so good results at Holmekollen.
FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 12 March 2011