CROSS-COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Norway (Skofterud, Johaug, Hagen, Bjoergen) won the women's 4x5km relay C/F in Gällivare (SWE) in a time of 43:32.2. The home team of Sweden (Ingemarsdotter, Bleckur, Larsen, Kalla) powered to second place in 45:51.6  as team USA (Brooks, Randall, Stephen, Diggins) claims a historic third place finish, +28.2 behind the winning team.

25.11.2012, Gaellivare, Sweden (SWE): ladies start - FIS world cup cross-country, 4x5km women, Gaellivare (SWE). Photo © Felgenhauer/NordicFocus www.nordicfocus.com

- Fifth victory for team Norway I in the relays in Gällivare (2004. 2006, 2008, 2010)
- First ever World Cup podium for Martine Ek Hagen (NOR), Lisa Larsen (SWE), Sofia Bleckur (SWE), Liz Stephens and Holly Brooks (both USA)
- Therese Johaug (NOR) pulled away on her second leg but Kikkan Randall (USA) was the fastest and closed the gap again to +8.2 sec before the first free technique leg.
- Charlotte Kalla (SWE) was the second quickest on the anchor leg behind Marit Bjoergen and took Sweden to second place.
- Jessica Diggins (USA) edged out in the finishing sprint Marthe Kristoffersen (NOR) by +0.5 sec
- First women's relay podium for USA

Athletes' Quotes

Kikkan Randall (USA)
Today is the best day ever so far!  Liz Stephens: "I have always looked at the TV and seen people crying after big races.  I didn't understand that feeling until today.

Charlotte Kalla (SWE)
I was so inspired to do a good job because it wasn't far up to the USA and then to Norway.  I put it in the highest gear from the start and tried to do my best."

Therese Johaug (NOR)
It was a great competition today. I am happy we were on the top of the podium again. I did a lot of strength training during the summer and improved my classical technique. I am happy the hard training has paid off.

Official Results
1. Norway I  45:32.2
2. Sweden I  +19.4
3. USA  +28.2

Weather and Snow
Cloudy and wet. Air 0°C, snow -0.3°C. Snow: Mixture of artificial and natural snow

Norway win men's 4x7.5 km relay

Norway celebrates double victory in the 4x7.5 km relay as  the Norway I team of Roenning, Sundby, Roethe and Northug Jr. stopped the clock in 1:01:59.3 landing them on top of the podium in Gällivare (SWE). After a tight sprint finish Sweden I (Joensson, Olsson, Richardsson, Hellner) took second place ahead of Russia I (Belov, Vylegzhanin, Legkov, Chernousov). 

25.11.2012, Gaellivare, Sweden (SWE): Sjur Roethe (NOR), Petter Northug (NOR) at the handover - FIS world cup cross-country, 4x7,5km men, Gaellivare (SWE). Photo © Felgenhauer/NordicFocus www.nordicfocus.com

- First 4x7.5 km men's relay on the FIS Cross-Country World Cup circuit
Very fast snow conditions
- The field stretched out at the end of the first leg, Norway I, Sweden I, Russia I, Germany and France were in the leading group
- Sundby (NOR) increased the pace in the last 2.5km of the second leg
- Olsson (SWE) got dropped at the at end of the second leg
- Sjur Roethe (NOR) had the fastest time on the third leg, went away and created a gap on the chasing group of +10.7 sec
- Alexander Legkov and Ilia Chernousov (both Russia I) fell on their legs but stayed in contact with the chasing group
- Marcus Hellner (SWE) on the last leg led the chasing group and in the finish out sprinted Ilia Chernousov who skied back after the fall

Official Results
1. Norway I  1:01:59.3
2. Sweden I  +6.4
3. Russia I +7.2

Athletes' Quotes

Ilya Chernousov (RUS)
It's really important for us to be in the top three.  Everybody did a good job.  For me it was quite hard today, I didn't feel fresh.  I tried to do my best but Marcus was stronger.  Congratulations to Sweden.

Emil Jönsson (SWE)
I felt really good, I had good skis and the body feels good.  When you are on the first leg it is special because you want to do your best for the other guys.  My goal was to be up in the front to be able to put the other guys in a good position.  If I then had any power left I wanted to try and spread out the field.

Eldar Roenning (NOR)
I was ill last week and could not compete at the national opening in Beitostoelen. I am happy I was in a good shape at the first World Cup of the season. We did a great job on the first three legs and for the first time since a long time Petter (Northug) did not have to sprint for the victory.

Weather and Snow
Cloudy and wet. Air 0°C, snow -0.3°C. Snow: Mixture of artificial and natural snow

Number of Spectators
7.500

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 25 November 2012

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