CROSS COUNTRY SK WORLD CUP. World Champion from 30 km Mass Start Free Therese Johaug has had great shape and carried out the momentum into the final phase of the World Championships and won 5+5 km Pursuit.

World Champion from 30 km Mass Start free technique Therese Johaug (NOR) and Swiss overall World Cup winner Dario Cologna (SUI) took the victory in the Pursuit World Cup races in Lahti..

Therese Johaug was in great shape today. In the time of 25:43.9 she stormed to victory in the 5+5km Pursuit. Justyna Kowalczyk was pushing hard and in the downhill before the stadium came in front but Johaug gave the final burst in the home stretch and with a tip of her boot beat the Polish ace. Arianna Follis of Italy showed strong performance today and claimed third place.

Marit Bjoergen was active in the classical part of the race and was setting the pace with Justyna Kowalczyk. Bjoergen the bonus points sprint and won 15 World Cup points. Arianna Follis of Italy moved in the lead before the ski exchange after 5 km. Marit Bjoergen had problems after the pit when she fell down.

In the free technique part Therese Johaug and Justyna Kowalczyk took over command and opened the gap on Follis. Kowalczyk and Johaug were changing in the lead. In the downhill before the stadium Justyna Kowalczyk moved in front and was pushing hard. Therese Johaug was close behind and attacked in the home stretch. The Norwegian beat Kowalczyk by a tip of her boot and celebrates first World Cup victory in her career. Arianna Follis finished third and lost on Johaug +23.5 sec.

Justyna Kowalczyk already won Overall World Cup standing and with today’s race she has collected 1739. Marit Bjooergen has won 1132 points and is currently second. Arianna Follis ITA is third with 1085 points. In the distance World Cup ranking, Kowalczyk is also unbeatable in the lead with 947 points while Marit Bjoergen owns the second spot (675 points) and Therese Johaug (NOR, 585 points) is third.

Quotes

Therese Johaug (NOR)

I’m really happy today. I fell the shape has been really good. I was little bit tired after the World Championships. We celebrated on Saturday and Sunday. I took a break and only slept. This week I felt the shape was better and better. It is not difficult to maintain motivation for the rest of the season. I’m in the best shape at the end of the season. Falun will be really good and my shape is very good as well. It was a really tough race today. In the classical part I was little bit tired. After exchange I felt really good. In the end Justyna came in front and I wanted to beat her. I was not sure I won when we crossed the finish line. That is my first World Cup victory today and I’m really happy. I will drive home tomorrow and go to Falun on Tuesday. I look forward going home for couple of days. I hope to fight for the podium in Falun.

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

I have had some problems with my legs in the free technique part of the race. I had power but my legs did not respond and did not work properly. Second place is a good result after the World Championships. I skied my best today and the result is quite ok. The courses in Lahti are one of my favorite ones and like competing here. I won two years ago and last year I was number two. Uphills are quite tough and downhills are fine. I was really tired after classic and was really surprised that we were only two in front. I wanted to ski with Therese and focus on the finish but she was stronger today. I will start in the World Cup final without pressure and will enjoy racing.

Arianna Follis (ITA)

I’m very happy with my third place. In the classical part I managed to keep contact with the other girls. I did my best in the classic and I’m happy I made it to the podium today. Now I’m third in the overall World Cup standing and hope to be in top three at the end of the season. I did not start in the 30 km free in Oslo and I am fresh and ready for tomorrow’s sprint. I hope I will take some points for the overall World Cup standing.

FIScrosscoutry.com
Saturday 12 March 2011

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