NORDIC JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen outclassed all captured gold medal in the U23 sprint classic in Otepää. Britt Ingunn Nydal (NOR) seized silver medal and bronze went to Sweden’s Jennie Oeberg.

Niskanen dominated already qualification and was superior in all heats. Big favorite for today’s victory Hanna Brodin started slower in the qualification but made it all the way through to the final.

Brodin, however, could not keep up the pace when Kerttu Niskanen was setting the speed in the finals. The Finnish broke away in the last downhill and came comfortably to gold medal. Ingunn Britt Nydal of Norway and Sweden's Jennie Oeberg fought for silver and bronze. Nydal edged out Oeberg by a tip of a toe and claimed silver.

Weather: windy, cloudy, -1,7°C
Snow: varied

Quotes

Kerttu Niskanen (FIN)

It feels great to be a world champion. I wanted to win and this was a very good day for me. I was feeling very good during the whole race. My tactics today was to go as fast as possible after the shot. I had some problems to ski always in front because it was snowing.

Britt Ingunn Nydal (NOR)

I am very satisfied with the second place. My goal was to fight for the semifinal and then I went to the final. In the final I had more power than I expected. I like the track here a lot but I didn’t like the double polling at the end of the competition. I expected Hanna Brodin to be more in front today.

Jennie Oeberg (SWE)

I am very satisfied with the third place today; I didn’t expect to be on the podium. I am very happy with the race. Double polling was quite hard for me. Weather was no problem and my skis were very good.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 29 January 2011

Alexander Panzhinskiy sprints to gold

Alexander Panzhinskiy was unbeatable today in U23 Sprint Classic and became the World Champion. Timo Andre Bajjen secured silver medal having edged out compatriot Magnus Moholt to third.

Olympic Silver medalist Alexander Panzhinskiy proved to be the biggest favorite for today’s victory and dominated qualification. The Russian had been ill and resumed training a few days ago. Panzhinskiy won both quarterfinal and semifinal. In the semifinal 1 Calle Halfvarsson was disqualified for using wrong technique in classic competition.

Panzhinskiy showed his strength in the finish straight and came clearly to gold. Timo Andre Bakken (NOR) tried to close up on Panzhinskyi but the Russian was too strong. Bakken finished second and secured silver medal for Norway. Italian Dietmar Noeclker was fighting hard with Magnus Moholt for bronze medal. Photo finish decided that bronze medal would go to Norway.

Weather: cloudy, -1,7°C
Snow: Varied

Quotes

Alexander Panzhinskiy (RUS)

I’m feeling very good, even fantastic. The season hasn’t been very good for me because at the World Cup I was in the good shape but then I got sick and didn’t train for three days. I just started training two days ago. This morning I felt a little sick again, but I am very happy that I won today

Everything worked out well for me today. My qualification was the best one and I hoped to be among the best guys. At the finish I just hoped the other guys don’t follow me and that I have more power than them. I hope to start at the World Championships in Oslo.

Timo Andre Bakken (NOR)

The race was okay. I know Alexander has silver medal from Olympic sprint from last year. He is a tough guy so I didn’t expect to win. My skis were okay too. I feel good to win silver.

Magnus Moholt (NOR)

I’m happy with the bronze medal. I am not disappointed at all, because this is my first time at the World Championships. The weather was okay for me because in Norway it is also quite often snowy and windy.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 29 January 2011

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