CROSS-COUNTRY SKI. Marit Bjoergen (NOR) powered to victory in stage 1 of the Ruka Triple 1.4 km classic sprint. Bjoergen won with a clear margin of +2.0 seconds ahead of Russia's Evgenia Shapovalova (RUS) and Anastasia Dotsenko (RUS).

On the men's side Nikita Kriukov (RUS) stole victory from Petter Northug (NOR) as he out sprinted the Norwegian on the finishing straight. Eirik Brandsdal (NOR) claimed third place.

Bonus seconds distributed to the top 30 of today's competition: 60'', 56'', 52'', etc.)
First bonus seconds to be counted in the new BMW xDrive Trophy 
Marit Bjoergen (NOR) defended her classic sprint victory from Kuusamo last year
Bjoergen qualified with 4th best time and was Lucky Loser out of the quarter final round
First individual podium in a Stage World Cup for Evgenia Shapovalova (RUS) and Anastasia Dotsenko (both have had one World Cup podium prior.)
Shapovalova and Dotsenko will not continue in the Ruka Triple mini-tour and are leaving for Canada tonight
Both Lucky Losers from the quarterfinals Marit Bjoergen and Krista Lahteenmaki made it to the finals
Fastest qualifier Emil Joensson (SWE) fell out in the semifinal with a crash
Kriukov is not continuing in the mini-tour
In 2011, Northug finished in 16th place in the classical sprint in Kuusamo
Last year's classical sprint winner in Kuusamo, Teodor Petterson (SWE) was eliminated in the same semifinal as Joensson.
After being on the podium twice in Kuusamo, Oystein Pettersen fell in his quarterfinal
Athlete Quotes

Marit Bjoergen (NOR)

I have not trained sprints that much this year. I have been working hard on my technique on steep uphills. I was satisfied with it in the semifinal and also in the final. I felt very good and my skis were perfect. It is good to see I am competitive in the sprints.

Evgenia Shapovalova (RUS)

I am excited about my second place. It is my first podium here in Kuusamo. It was very hard to compete with Marit. I think I had one of my best competitions. I could not have wished for a better start to the season.

Anastasia Dotsenko (RUS)

I am very glad for third place today. I am happy that my performance and shape has been improving day by day. I hope my form will continue to rise. In Kuusamo we planned to compete only today. We are leaving for Canada tonight.

Nikita Kriukov (RUS)

I feel very good. I was fast in the qualification but quarterfinal was difficult for me. On the last climb I did not have that much power. But semifinal and final was easier for me. I knew that Petter was very strong in the last uphill. When I saw him I tried to beat him. Tonight I fly to Canada.

Petter Northug Jr. (NOR)

It was important for me to get qualified. In the heats I was little slow after the start. I managed to fight for a good position on the last climb. I had a good feeling today but the finish was not as good as I had hoped for.  It is good, I got a lot of bonus seconds today. I tried to go away before the last corner but I did not find the right flow. Nikita was strong.

Erik Brandsdal (NOR)

 I looked forward to this competition for a long time. I felt good in the prologue and also in the heats. The two guys ahead of me were stronger than me. I think I got the best out of the day. I did what I believed in today and I am happy I have succeeded.

Official Results

Ladies 1.4 km Classic Sprint

1. Marit Bjoergen (NOR)

2. Evgenia Shapovalova (RUS)

3. Anastasia Dotsenko (RUS)

Men 1.4 km Classic Sprint

1. Nikita Kriukov (RUS)

2. Petter Northug Jr. (NOR)

3. Eirik Brandsdal (NOR)

Official results are available here for women and men.

Weather and Snow

Clear, light snow fall. Air -12.1°C, snow -11.3°C. Snow: hard packed icy granular mix of artificial and natural snow

FIScrosscountry.com
Friday 30 November 2012