Nikolay Morilov and Alexey Petukhov shine in Milano team sprint free

CROSS COUNTRY SKI. Alexey Petukhov and Nikolay Morilov go for victory in Sunday's team sprint free in Parco Sempione, Milano.

Russia I (Petukhov, Morilov) dominate today's team sprint free as Morilov denies in the finishing straight Peterson taking second Sweden's victory of the day. Sweden I (Halfvarsson, Peterson) take second place. Thousands of Italian fans were pleased to see local heroes David Hofer and Fulvio Scola (Italy I) going for third place.

Alexey Petkhov was in command in his last leg and made a move, before the last exchange. He won a few meters and sent out to the last 1400m his compatriot Nikolay Morilov. Peterson and Scola were chasing the Russian and were hooked on his ski tails.

Morilov had left more in the tank as he spurted over the Swede in the finishing straight. Fulvio Scola came home in third place.

Nikolay Morilov RUS
"It was a tough race but I felt in good shape. I pushed hard in front and nobody could attack me on the final straight. Alexey made a great performance as well. I am happy with the race, with the audience and the sprint here in Milan."

Teodor Peterson SWE
"We had a tough semi final. I did not believe that we can end up on the podium today, but Calle came back strong in the finals and showed a good race. I pushed hard to catch the Russian's, I came closer on the final straight but it was not enough to catch Nikolay."

David Hofer ITA
"It was a fantastic race. I was never on the podium in an italian city before. It is not always easy to prepare a good course in a city but the team of Milan did a good job and support us with good conditions."

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 15 January 2012

Ida Ingemarsdotter takes Sweden I to victory in Milano's team sprint free

Sweden's Ida Ingemarsdotter celebrates double in Milano as she takes Sweden I (Brodin, Ingemarsdotter) to victory in Milano sprint free.

Ida Ingemarsdotter made a decisive move in the last lap of the last leg. She went in the lead, opened up a gap and only Kikkan Randall and Chandra Crawford could follow.

Ingemarsdotter showed once again her strength that had led her yesterday to victory and did not give her contenders a chance as she crossed the finish line with a comfortable gap.

Kikkan Randall and Chandra Crawford were fighting hard in the finishing straight for second place. Kikkan Randall produced yet again a superb performance having put team USA I back in business after a crash of her teammate Jessica Diggins before te exchange. Randall showed why she has been wearing the red jersey and with the final kick of her right boot she stole second place from attacking Chandra Crawford of Canada.

The Canadian team with Perianne Jones and Chandra Crawford celebrate third place.

Hanna Brodin SWE
"It was just an incredible race. I felt strong all the way and Ida was amazing. I tried to stay in front in my parts of the races and could made it mostly and then on the last leg Ida pushed hard for the victory. It was great here in Milan."

Kikkan Randall USA
"In the third exchange Jessica fell but I was not nervous, I know all can happened in team sprint - we had some bad luck in other team sprints before. I push hard to get back into the race, it cost some extra energy but I made it and I am happy to be on the podium with Jessica and also with our friends from Canada. We had together with the Canadians a training camp in summer and pushed each other to a high level."

Chandra Crawford CAN
"I am lucky to be a part of the North American team. It is really nice to be on the podium together with them, we have a lot of fun together. The course here was flat and fast - I like it - and also the people here in Milan are enthusiastic and cheered for everybody."

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 15 January 2012

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