CROSS-COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Norwegian ladies were again quickest in today’s 4x5 km relay and won the first team competition of new World Cup season with a clear margin of +26 seconds ahead of Norway II and Finland.

Norway 1 on top of the podium, while Norway 2, left in the picture, went to the 2nd place. Finland was number 3. Photo: Laiho / Nordic focus

Norwegian quartet with Vibeke W. Skofterud, Therese Johaug, Kristin Stoermer Steira and Marit Bjoergen laid down fooundations for their success already in the first 5 km leg. Vibeke Skofterud opened a gap in the second 2.5 km lap and brought Norway I to the exchange with +6 seconds margin. Therese Johaug increased the gap and left behind Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN), Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR II) and Heidi Weng (NOR III).

The World Champion in 30 km Free sent out Kristin Steira to the first free technique leg with a comfortable margin of +14 sec. Biathlete Tora Berger of Norway II took over the initiative and was setting the pace in order to chase Kristin Stoermer Steira. Tora Berger made the best time on the third leg and help to bring Norway II on the podium. Riita-Liisa Roponen kept up the pace with the Norwegian biathlete and came third to the 3rd exchange.

Marit Bjoergen had thanks to her compatriots relatively easy job and controlled the race. Marthe Kristoffersen of Norway II was trying to shake off Riikka Sarasoja-Lilja and succeeded in one of the climbs. Chartlotte Kalla was pushing hard for Sweden to close up the gap on the podium but more than 30 second margin was too much for the second fastest skier from yesterday’s 10 km Free.

Marit Bjoergen came alone in the stadium and could enjoy last meters of the relay. Marthe Kristoffersen brought team Norway II to second place having lost on the winning squad +26 seconds. Finland with Krista Lahteenmaki, Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, Riita-Liisa Roponen and Riikka Sarasoja-Lilja finished third.

Vibeke Skofterud (NOR):
"We did definitively took the relay serious and not as granted. We started the new day this morning with a new focus - the relay. It was great to ski today and I felt again very good. We are all really happy to win the relay, a relay is always something special and a lot can happened."

Astrid Jacobsen (NOR):
I'm satisfied with my part of the relay race race. It is great to ski here in front of the audience, that makes really fun.

Riitta Liisa Roponen (FIN):
It was a tough race but I felt good today and I am pleased with my race.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 20 November 2011

Norway Celebrates Double Victory in 4x10 km Relay

After double victory of Norwegian ladies in 4x5 km Relay the Norwegian men did the same and grabbed first two places on the podium in 4x10 km Relay.

Petter Northug jr. brought Norway I (Roenning, Krogh, Berger, Northug) to victory in Sunday’s 4x10 km Classic/Free relay in Sjusjoen. Exciting finish determined the podium. Norwegian successful day was underlined with the second place of Norway III (Dahl, Ansnes, Eilifsen, Roethe). Youngster Calle Halfvarsson brought team Sweden (Hellner, Rickardsson, Olsson, Halfvarsson) to third place.

The Norwegian winning team in the World Cup relay in Sjusjøen 2011. Photo: Laiho / Nordic focus

The start field stayed together for the big part of the first 10 km leg. A strong leading group with 6 teams was formed. Marcus Hellner was active as well Russians Japarov and Belov. It was Eldar Roenning who brought the Norwegian team on the first place to the first exchange.

After the second exchange the leading group grew bigger to 10 teams. Maxim Vylegzhanin was strong in his leg and was setting the pace. Maurice Manificat of France was pushing hard together with the Russian. Daniel Rickardsson of Sweden did not stay behind and at the second exchange France was in the lead ahead of Finland, Norway I, Sweden and Italy. Dario Cologna had the fastest time in the second leg and reduced the gap on the leading group by 24 seconds to +22 sec.

Situation in the race remained quite similar during the third leg with six teams in the leading group. Norway I, Italy, France, Sweden, Finland and Russia I were within 5 seconds.

During the last leg the pace slowed down rapidly and we could see easy skiing that made possible that the leading increased up to 8 teams. In the last 2.5km lap the racing speed accelerated thanks to Sjur Roethe and Alexander Legkov. In the last uphill before the stadium Petter Northug moved up to first place ahead of Sjur Roethe, Alexander Legkov and Calle Halfvarsson. In the last turn before the finishing straight Northug defended the inner curve position and stormed to victory for Norway I. Strong finish from Roethe secured Norway III second place. Alexander Legkov lost balance in the last meters of tha race that probably cost him a podium spot, which went to Sweden thanks to Calle Halfvarsson.

Lars Berger (NOR):
"It was fun to race today. I push hard towards the end of my leg and the audience helped me to do that. It was great to compete in the relay."

Sjur Roethe (NOR):
I'm happy to be on the podium today. The last leg was a tactical one but at the end I pushed hard and could take the second spot for our team.

Calle Halfvarsson (SWE):
In the last uphill I was behind and lost a bit the connection. I had to pass all for the finish sprint and that was not so easy. But at the end we finished third. I am satisfied with my race but for sure I was a bit nervous before and during it. It is a great honor to race the last leg for Sweden.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 20 November 2011

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