CROSS-COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Just like last season ended the new one started. Marit Bjoergen took victory and celebrates 47th World Cup win in her career.

Norway's Marit Bjoergen celebrates after she won the opening race at the women's individual 10km free technic cross country skiing event during the FIS World Cup in Sjusjoen November 19, 2011. (REUTERS/Terje Bendiksby/Scanpix)

Marit Bjoergen was the biggest favorite in today’s FIS Cross-Country World Cup season opener in Sjusjoen over 10 km Free Individual start. Marit Bjoergen started strong from first meters of the race and was the quickest at all intermediate points and controlled the race.

More than 10.000 spectators in the stadium and along the course witnessed Bjoergen’s decisive victory. Runner up Charlotte Kalla of Sweden lost on the Queen of the World Ski Championships in Oslo +27.1 sec. Bjoergen’s compatriot Vibeke Skofterud delivered a strong performance today and can celebrate third place. Skofterud reached the individual podium for the first time since Kuusamo 2009 when she finished third in 10 km Classic. For the third time Charlotte Kalla finished second at the World Cup opener.

With her victory today Marit Bjoergen gets over Cross-Country skiing legend Bjoern Daehlie in number of World Cup victories. Bjoern Daehli collected 46 wins, Marit Bjoergen won in Sjusjoen for 47th time.

Defending FIS Cross-Country World Cup winner from last season Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland lost +1:12.3 sec and closed in top 10.

Marit Bjoergen (NOR):
I’m really with my race today. I was nervous before the start. I did not know how my shape was. The track fit me very well. I kept very good speed all the way. I also had a good last lap. Conditions in Sjusjoen were very good. They have done a very good job.

Charlotte Kalla (SWE):
I had a plan to have the race under control and then to increase my speed. I felt very good in the first big uphill in the first lap and I felt OK during the whole race. I felt I had endurance to keep good technique. I was a bit nervous before the race. I did not know in which shape Iwas. I had to believe that the feeling from Bruksvallarna was good.

Vibeke Skofterud (NOR):
I made small changes in my summer training. I focused more on the intensity. Slow trainings got slower and hard trainings were harder. We have done really good job from April until now. We are really strong team. There were seven girls in top 10. There was a good atmosphere. They have done a really good job in Sjusjoen.

Johan Olsson shines in Sjusjoen and takes first win of the season

Johan Olsson started new Cross-Country season in the best possible way. Olsson grabbed victory in the opening race over 15 km Free in Sjusjoen.

First placed Sweden's Johan Olsson, second placed Petter Northug (L) of Norway and third placed Italian Roland Clara pose after the opening race at the men's individual 15km free technical Cross Country Skiing in Sjusjoen November 19, 2011. (REUTERS/Terje Bendiksby/Scanpix)

Olsson dominated the race and won in 32:40.9. Petter Northug had impressive last kilometers and finished second +31.2 sec behind the winner. Surprise of the day is the third place of Roland Clara who stayed behind by +31.4 sec.

Defending World Cup winner Dario Cologna started strong and was in the lead all the way to the 7.5 km. In the second half of the race Cologna fell off the pace and finished on 7th spot. Johan Olsson was after the first intermediate point 7th but was continuously increasing the pace and at 11.5 km he took over the lead. Olsson could increase the margin to +31.2 sec in the finish celebrated his second victory after his success in Davos 2008. Today's win is Olsson's first in free technique.

Italian Dario Cologna skis to seventh place in the opening race at the men's individual 15km free technical Cross Country Skiing in Sjusjoen November 19, 2011. (REUTERS/Terje Bendiksby/Scanpix)

Italy's Roland Clara is surprise of the day. Clara was fast all the way from the start to the finish and occupied front positions. For fresh married Clara it was personal best and first World Cup. In head to head fight between him and Petter Northug the Norwegian had more left in the tank in last kilometers and edged out the Italian by tiny margin of +0.02 sec to third place.

Swedish youngster Calle Halfvarsson was very active in the whole race and for a long time was holding the fastest time at intermediate points and in the finish. After the strong performance Halfvarsson was the second best Swedish athlete on fourth place.

Johan Olsson (SWE):
I had some luck today. I had really good skis and I had always some good company all the way. I did not expect anything from today. I felt little bit bad yesterday. In the relay we will fight with Norwegians like always. My biggest wish is to stay healthy.

Petter Northug (NOR):
It was tough race today. I had the feeling that it was tough to make a podium. In the last lap I heard it was pretty tight between the racers so I was fighting in every uphill and also on the easy terrain. I tried to give it all towards the end. I’m happy to be second. It was a tough course. You need to work all the way. You also have to be working in the downhills where you can win some seconds. You don’t get so much rest on this track.

Roland Clara (ITA):
It was a perfect race. I did not think I could make it to podium today. But when I started I heard it was good and then I was waiting. I did the same traininglast training as last year. November-December aren’t normally my months but this year it’s little bit different. I hope to continue this way.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 19 November 2011

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