CROSS COUNTRY WORLD CUP. Follis, who was 7th in the qualification captured victory in the ladies' 0.9 km free technique sprint just ahead of the American Kikkan Randall.

On third place finished like in the past year Vesna Fabjan. As well in the final skied Celine Brun-Lie (NOR, 4th place), Hanna Falk (SWE, 5th place) and Hanna Brodin (SWE, 6th place). 33-year-old Follis was never before in the individual sprint in Düsseldorf on the podium but like the flat sprint course. The World Champion from Liberec 2009 claimed her third World Cup victory in her career and made her second podium in this season.

In the sprint World Cup ranking, Follis is now leading with 130 points while Kikkan Randall moved on the second spot with 80 points. Leader of the overall World Cup ranking is still Marit Bjoergen (NOR), who is skipping the races in Düsseldorf, ahead of Charlotte Kalla (SWE) and Justyna Kowalczyk (POL).

Quotes
Arianna Follis (ITA)

I’am really happy today. For the first time I won in Düsseldorf. The atmosphere is very nice in Düsseldorf. It is always nice when there are many spectators along the course. The course here is very specific. It is a good one but you have to keep pushing all the time. Tomorrow there is another day and I hope we will be fast again in the team sprint.

Kikkan Randall (USA)

I had a lot of fun out there. Atmosphere was great along the course and it was fun to race today. Every course has its challenge. Some have big uphills some are more flat. Im looking forward to next races in Davos and La Clusaz, I hope to carry on the momentum. I felt strong and knew I could make it.

Vesna Fabjan (SLO)

I finished on the same place as last year. I came sick from Kuusamo and actually even today I am on antibiotics and I did not know if I would race today. Now I am here and it is a nice surprise for me. I do not know if I will ski tomorrow the team sprint as I am still sick. We will make the decision later today.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 4 December 2010

Emil Joensson wins sprint title in Düsseldorf

On the men's side it was Emil Joenssen (SWE) who captured victory ahead of a surprising second Fulvio Scola (ITA).

The final spot on the podium took Oeystein Pettersen from Norway. The winner of the qualification, Alexei Petuhkov (RUS) just edged out of the podium in the final as fourth while the both Swedes Mats Larsson and Jesper Modin follow on the 5th and 6th spot.

Joensson, who won the overall sprint World Cup, took his sixth World Cup victory. He is now leading in the sprint World Cup ahead of Fulvio Scola who made his first podium today. On third is the winner of Kuusamo’s Sprint, John Kristian Dahl.

Overall World Cup ranking did not change today, still in the lead is Alexander Legkov (RUS) ahead of Dario Cologna (SUI) and Marcus Hellner (SWE).

Quotes
Emil Joensson (SWE)

Qualification was really bad for me. In fact it was my worst qualifier ever. But, then I felt better and better in every heat. It was a pretty strange race for me but I am happy I won. The track is very narrow here so you have to be always be aware about your position. Many think that the course is easy because it is flat but it is not so. You have to be pushing all the time. It is really good to ski in front of so many fans and the atmosphere was excellent. You feel as if you were skiing in a tunnel.

Fulvio Scola (ITA)

I made it for the first time in the finals and I claimed first podium today. So I feel great. I did not believe I could make it today. I was very focused on only myself and did not think about the others. I had perfect and fast skis. Our whole team had. This year the snow best ever here. I will try to perform as best as possible tomorrow as well.

Oeystein Pettersen (NOR)

It is always nice in Düsseldorf. The track was very good today. Maybe the best ever. The atmosphere was great with many people outside. I tried to ski as slowly as possible when I was in front and as fast as I could to stay with the group. We are very eager to race tomorrow but it will tough in the team sprint.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 4 December 2010

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