TOUR DE SKI. Petter Northug Jr. of Norway raced to victory in the king stage of the FIS Tour de Ski  - 35 km long free technique pursuit from Cortina to Toblach. On the home stretch Northug Jr. out sprinted Alexander Legkov of Russia and Switzerland's Dario Cologna.

Vylegzhanin, Cologna, Northug, Legkov and Harvey skied together soon after the start of the pursuit
At 12 km Alex Harvey fell back
The leading foursome skied together to the Nordic Arena in Toblach
Petter Northug Jr. made the final move on the last curve before the home stretch 
With time bonuses going to the top 3  Northug will have a +5.7 second lead going into tomorrow's 5 km Classic Individual Start
Daniel Richardsson (SWE) skied the fastest time of today of 1:15:20.9 ahead of Tobias Angerer (GER) 1:15:29.7 sec
Bonus seconds for top 3 in the finish: 15'', 10'' and 5''

ATHLETES' QUOTES

Petter Northug Jr. NOR

I tried to find a good flow today and did not find it in the first 5 km. I wanted to get in contact with Maxim and Dario as fast as possible. I tried to keep the speed high also after the highest point of the course.   We were working together from the top to the stadium. I did not feel we were skiing 100% but it was good the chasing group did not come closer.

OFFICIAL RESULTS STAGE 4

1. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 1:16:32.7

2. Alexander Legkov RUS +0.7

3. Dario Cologna SUI +0.9

Today's stage results are available here.

FIS TOUR DE SKI OVERALL STANDING

1. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 2:06:45.0

2. Alexander Legkov RUS +5.7

3. Dario Cologna SUI +10.9

Overall Tour standings available here.

FIS TOUR DE SKI SPRINT STANDING

1. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 1:13

2. Finn Haagen Krogh NOR 1:00

3. Dario Cologna SUI 0:53

WEATHER

Sunny, hard packed snow conditions. Air: -1.3°C. Snow: -6.1°C

Kowalcyzk hangs on, and Kalla climbs

Justyna Kowalczyk hangs on to her FIS Tour de Ski Overall lead on Stage 4, and takes over sprint leaders bib. Sweden's Charlotte Kalla skied from 7th place to 2nd place to be just +23.3 seconds back from the lead. Falling from 2nd to 3rd place overall was Therese Johaug of Norway. Despite losing one position she is now just +28.7 seconds back.

Justyna Kowalczyk led all the way through the 15 km competition
Therese Johaug was chasing Kowalczyk
Charlotte Kalla SWE had a very good day as she came from 7th place at the start to 2nd in the finish. Kalla caught Johaug in the last section of the competition
Kalla started' over 90 seconds behind Kowalczyk today
Sprint for second place between Kalla, Johaug and Steira
Katrin Zeller GER was the fastest lady of the day in 36:01.0. Charlotte Kalla skied the second fastest time +0.2 sec back
Bonus seconds for top three in the finish: 15'', 10'' and 5''

ATHLETES' QUOTES

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

Today's stage was the most difficult one for me. I got all the information about the split times of Therese Johaug and Charlotte Kalla. I tried to keep a steady pace. I am happy there are two classical stages ahead of us. The fight for the overall Tour de Ski victory is still open. Charlotte Kalla had a very strong day and in free technique competitions she is always one of the favourites.

OFFICIAL RESULTS STAGE 4

1. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 37:15.1

2. Charlotte Kalla SWE +18.3

3. Therese Johaug NOR +18.7

Complete results from today are available at fis-ski.com

FIS TOUR DE SKI OVERALL STANDING

1. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 1:12:08.1

2. Charlotte Kalla SWE +23.3

3. Therese Johaug NOR +28.7

Overall Tour standings are available here.

FIS TOUR DE SKI SPRINT STANDING

1. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 1:15

2. Kikkan Randall USA 1:15

3. Charlotte Kalla SWE 1:02

BMW xDRIVE TROPHY

1. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 160

2. Kikkan Randall USA 114

3. Heidi Weng NOR 70

WEATHER

Sunny, hard packed snow conditions. Air: -0.8°C. Snow: -4.9°C

FIScrosscountry.com
Thursday 3 January 2013

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