CROSS COUNTRY SKI. TOUR DE SKI. Kikkan Randall has won her first ever stage in the FIS Tour de Ski and she will wear the red leaders bib into tomorrow's 9km Classic pursuit.  Close behind her was Sweden's Charlotte Kalla +4.4 sec back.  Three-time Tour de Ski winner Justyna Kowalczyk took third place, +4.7 sec back from Randall.

First ever FIS Tour de Ski stage win for Kikkan Randall (USA)
Randall was second at the 1.7 km checkpoint but sped up in the second part of the prologue
Kalla started strong and topped the intermediate ranking
Kalla claimed second place in the Tour de Ski Prologue also in 2010
Since 2010 Justyna Kowalczyk has always been on the podium in the Tour de Ski Prologue (3rd 2010, 1st 2010, 1st 2011)
Strong performance by German youngster Denise Herrmann in the prologue - 4th place
The winning time of today would equal 40th position in the prologue 2011
6.500 spectators

ATHLETES'S QUOTES

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

I'm really satisfied with the prologue. I like such snow conditions we had today. It was much better for me than yesterday. Tomorrow the plan is to go fast right from the start and try to catch Kikkan.

Charlotte Kalla (SWE)

I was very curious about how my shape would be competing against the others again.  I like Oberhof. I have good experience here from that past.  The 3km skate suits me well in skate when I am in good shape.  My plan is to do as good a classic race as possible.  It will be a hard stage for me tomorrow.  But I will do my best.

Kikkan Randall (USA)

Its very exciting to feel strong today.  the start of the season quite good for me.  I had a break at Christmas and I am still feeling good.  I just hoped that the Christmas cookies didn't weigh me down too much.  I didn't have a good feeling coming into today, but I have learned over my career that when I feel bad before the race I usually have a good race and that was the case today.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

1. Kikkan Randall USA 7:28.1

2. Charlotte Kalla SWE +4.4 sec

3. Justyna Kowalczyk POL +9.3 sec

Complete results are available here

FIS TOUR DE SKI OVERALL STANDING (Total time)

1. Kikkan Randall USA 7:13.1 sec

2. Charlotte Kalla SWE +9.4 sec

3. Justyna Kowalczyk POL +14.7 sec

FIS TOUR DE SKI SPRINT STANDING (Total time)

1. Kikkan Randall USA 0:15 sec

2. Charlotte Kalla SWE 0:10 sec

3. Justyna Kowalczyk POL 0:5 sec

WEATHER

Fog, icy, Air: 1.9°C, Snow: 0.1°C

Northug takes stage 1 of the Tour de Ski

Norway's Petter Northug must have rested well on his new bus as he stormed to victory today in the first stage of the Tour de Ski.  Northug stopped the clock in a time of 8:28.7 min, a full 6 seconds ahead of second place finisher Marcus Hellner of Sweden.  In third was Russia's Alexander Legkov +7.2 second back of Northug.  The three-time Tour champ Dario Cologna was just off the podium in fourth position +10.1 secs back from the lead. 

Petter Northug Jr. repeated the prologue win from last year
9th stage victory for Petter Northug Jr.
Petter Northug was 7th at the 1.7 km intermediate point 4 seconds behind Ilia Chernousov RUS
Marcus Hellner came to second place from 14th spot at the intermediate point
First podium in the Tour de Ski Prologue for Alexander Legkov RUS
Two Czech skiers in top 10
6.500 spectators

ATHLETES' QUOTES

Alexander Legkov RUS

I felt very good today. The course was not that icy like yesterday. I felt very good during the prologue. I will think about the plan for tomorrow's pursuit in the evening but there are many good skiers out there. I have to focus on my skiing tomorrow and find my way out of the pack.

Marcus Hellner SWE

It was very cold in Gallivare.  So I wasn't sure of my fitness before the Tour.  But I am feeling good. Tomorrow I will try hard, but classic is not my best so I will see how it goes.

Petter Northug Jr. NOR

I like very much this kind of competitions. Today it was all about technique. It was not that easy to find the right flow. I have won just the first stage. Nobody will remember it on Alpe Cermis.  I am going to take it easy in the first round tomorrow. For sure Dario and others will be strong and will be chasing me. It will be important to find the right spot in the pack.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

1. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 8:28.7

2. Marcus Hellner SWE +6.1

3. Alexander Legkov RUS +7.2

Complete results are available here

FIS TOUR DE SKI OVERALL STANDING (Total Time)

1. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 8:13.7

2. Marcus Hellner SWE +11.1

3. Alexander Legkov RUS +17.2

FIS TOUR DE SKI SPRINT STANDING (Total Bonus Seconds)

1. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 0:15

2. Marcus Hellner SWE 0:10

3. Alexander Legkov RUS 0:05

BMW xDRIVE TROPHY

1. Petter Northug Jr. NOR 71

2. Nikita Kriukov RUS 60

3. Eirik Brandsdal NOR 52

WEATHER

Fog, icy, Air: 1.9°C, Snow: 0.1°C

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 29 December 2012