TOUR DE SKI. Russia's Alexander Legkov dominates on Alpe Cermis to win his first ever Tour de Ski. Defending Tour de Ski winner Dario Cologna (SUI) finished second +18.7 back. Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS) took third place +40.7 sec behind.

Top 4 skiers (Legkov, Vylegzhanin, Northug and Cologna) arrived at the base of the climb together
Alexander Legkov pulled away just before the halfway point of the climb
The groups response broke Northug off the back
Dario Cologna pulled away from Vylegzhanin towards the top to finish in 2nd
Vylegzhanin settled for third and Northug 4th
The fastest on the day was Marcus Hellner (SWE) - 29:59.6 who crossed just behind Northug in 5th
First World Cup win for Alexander Legkov since Ruka Triple in Kuusamo in 2010 (Stage World Cup Wins and podiums)

ATHLETES' QUOTES

Alexander Legkov RUS

I have not practiced climbing hills this big.  But in summer time rollerskiing and on snow I know that I am a strong climber.  Sochi is next year, but right now I am just focused on the World Championships.  Thank you to my team and my family.

Dario Cologna SUI

Alexander Legkov was too fast for me today.  I was at my maximum.  I couldn't hold his pace and knew that I needed to focus on getting second place.  I think we knew coming into today's final climb that Alex was the strongest.  It is important to find your own pace and not go to fast on the first climb.

Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS

I am happy for the third place. We tried to control each on the flat. ON the uphill I did not think about the others. I just wanted to get on the podium. I knew Legkov was strong and wanted to win and also that Dario would be tough to beat. Today I managed to be on the podium, so why not at the World Championships?

FIS TOUR DE SKI OVERALL STANDING MEN

1. Alexander Legkov RUS 3:29:28

2. Dario Cologna SUI +18.7

3. Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS +40.7

Complete Tour results here

FIS TOUR DE SKI SPRINT STANDING MEN

1. Petter Northug NOR 1:38

2. Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS 1:28

3. Dario Cologna SUI 1:22

MEN OF THE DAY - 9 KM PURSUIT FINAL CLIMB

1. Marcus Hellner SWE 29:59.6

2. Ivan Babikov CAN +13.3

3. Roland Clara ITA  +14.6

Fastest times on stage 7 here.

FIS CROSS-COUNTRY OVERALL WORLD CUP

1. Petter Northug NOR 559 points

2. Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS 451 points

3. Alexey Poltoranin KAZ 432 points

WEATHER

Partly Cloudy, soft snow conditions. Air: 10.0°C. Snow: 0.2°C

Kowalczyk makes it 4 in a row

Poland's Cross-Country Skiing super star Justyna Kowalczyk makes it 4 FIS Tour de Ski titles in a row as Therese Johaug blazes the fastest time of the day, but not enough for the overall Tour victory.  Kristin Stoermer Steira (NOR) hangs on for third place.

Fourth FIS Tour de Ski title for Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
Kowalczyk had second fastest time on Alpe Cermis in 2012 but she was 7th quickest today
Justyna Kowalczyk has increased the FIS Cross-Country Overall World Cup lead to 822 points
Fastest time of 34:12.4 for Therese Johaug (NOR), second fastest time for Liz Stephen (USA), Heidi Weng (NOR) third
Johaug was 5 seconds faster in 2013 than in 2012
First individual World Cup podium for Stoermer Steira (not Stage World Cup) since  2010
Four Norwegians in top 6
Three Finns in top 9
15.000 spectators on the course

ATHLETES' QUOTES

Kristin Stoermer Steira NOR

It’s been a fantastic Tour de Ski and the third place in the Sprint standing is certainly surprising for me. I had fun each day since the beginning of the Tour, especially the sprint competition in Val Müstair and I think I’m in a good shape at the moment. Hopefully I will improve in the next month or so, and be ready to the World Championships here in Italy.

Regarding today’s race, I knew the climb was very hard and I was focused on keeping the third spot. Eventually, I made it.

Therese Johaug NOR

Of course I’m happy with the second place, I like this race very much. I usually train a lot in the hills and that’s why I skied pretty well uphill, I guess. I’m in a good shape right now and I look forward to come back here in Val di Fiemme for the World Championships. Now I'll have some days of relax at home.

Justyna Kowalczyk POL

Once again, it’s been a fantastic Tour de Ski. For the fourth time I sit on the first spot and I’m so happy. Every race and every Tour have their own story and the hardest one has probably been the first one I won against Petra Majdic four years ago.

I like Val di Fiemme a lot and it’s going to be a great World Championship next month. Usually I ski better after Tour de Ski, I hope it will be the same this year.

WINNER OF THE DAY - LADIES 9 KM FINAL CLIMB

1. Therese Johaug NOR 34:12.4

2. Liz Stephen USA +39.5

3. Heidi Weng NOR +1:10.8

Results from the stage here

FIS TOUR DE SKI OVERALL STANDING LADIES

1. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 2:25:21.6

2. Therese Johaug NOR +27.9

3. Kristin Stoermer Steira +2:39.5

Overall Tour standings here.

FIS TOUR DE SKI SPRINT STANDING LADIES

1. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 2:15

2. Kikkan Randall USA 1:20

3. Kristin Stoermer Steira NOR 1:14

FIS CROSS-COUNTRY OVERALL WORLD CUP LADIES

1. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 822 points

2. Kikkan Randall USA 686 points

3. Therese Johaug NOR 532 points

WEATHER

Clear Sky, sunny, soft snow conditions. Air: 8.9°C. Snow: 0.2°C.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 6 January 2013

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