Petra Majdic from Slowenia and the Norwegian John Kristian Dahl won the cross-country ski sprint race in free technique in Davos. Majdic took her first World Cup victory in this season on the 1,4 km long course clearly ahead of Marit Bjoergen (NOR). On the third place finished Aino Kaisa Saarinen from Finland while Vesna Fabjan (SLO) just edged out of the podium on fourth place. Marianna Longa from Italy took the fifth place and the winner from Düsseldorf, Hanna Falk finished sixth.

With the today’s victory Petra Majdic is now the new leader of the overall World Cup ranking with 272 points. Just 9 points behind her is Aino Kaisa Saarinen while Marit Bjoergen is 10 points behind Majdic, who is now also leading the in the sprint World Cup ranking.

On the demanding 1,7 km course of the men was John Kristian Dahl the fastest in the Final heat. He took his first ever victory World Cup victory ahead of his team mate Petter Northug (NOR) and the dominator of the qualification Alexei Petukhov (RUS). Matias Standsvall from Finland finished on 4th place, Oystein Pettersen (NOR) was fifth and the French Cyril Miranda took the sixth position.

Petter Northug is back in the lead of the overall World Cup with 240 points. The winner of today’s men’s race, John Kristian Dahl is second (200) points and Alexei Petukhov is on the third place (160 points). Dahl is now also the new man in the red bib, which is the sign for the leader of the sprint World Cup.

Weather: sunny, -5° C
Snow Conditions: packed
Spectators: 5.000

Quotes:
Petra Majdic (SLO):
It is just amazing. To win is a good feeling;-) I’m so happy to be back on the top position of the podium after some not so perfect race. I felt strong today and as well the course fit’s for me. It is demanding but good. It is also great to be in the yellow shirt – I didn’t believe that I could be possible so early in the season. Now I’m looking forward to my home World Cup in Rogla!

Marit Bjoergen (NOR):
“I’m really, really happy. It was a good race for me but Petra was today definitivly the strongest.”

Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN):
“This podium spot is great for me. I felt yesterday really not good but now I know that it was not my shape. I felt good from the qualification on but Petra and Marit were at the end faster then me.”

John Kristian Dahl (NOR)
I’m very happy. This victory is my first World Cup victory and I feel amazing. It is a tough and long course for a sprint but it fit’s me. Petuhkov and Petter were strong competitors but at the end I made it;-) I know that Alexei is very strong. We both are nearly “neighbours” – I’m coming from a place close to the Russian boarder and he is from the region of Murmansk – we know each other quite well.”

Petter Northug (NOR)
Good to be back in yellow. I felt much better then yesterday and be happy to managed the podium.

Race report
FIScrosscountry.com
13 December 2009

First victory for Khazova of Russia
25-year-old Irina Khazova claimed victory in the exciting 10 km individual start race in Davos

25-year-old Irina Khazova (RUS) claimed victory in the exciting 10 km individual start race in Davos. On the demanding course she finished in a time of 26:22.0, just 27.3 seconds ahead of Charlotte Kalla from Sweden. The third spot on the podium took Kristina Smigun-Vaehi (EST).

Khazova started into the race not too fast and had just the 8th best time at the intermediate point 2,0 km. But then she powered all the way to the finished and won clearly ahead of Kalla, who was also faster in her second lap.

For Khazova, the double Junior World Champion from 2004, it was the first ever World Cup victory in her career, just after being second in Kuusamo two weeks ago. 2007/2008 FISTour de Ski winner Kalla took her second podium place in this season while Kirstina Smigun-Vähi finished after a two-year's long baby break in her second World Cup race on third place.

The new overall World Cup leader

The new leader of the overall World Cup is Irina Khazova with 206 points, 3 points ahead of Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (FIN), who finished today on 11th place. And on third rank is Charlotte Kalla with 189 points.

Irina Khazova (RUS):

I'm very happy about my victory. I didn't believe this morning that I can win. My goal for this season is to be as best as possible and make a top 6 place at the Olympics.

Charlotte Kalla (SWE):
"I tried to start relax in the race and I was then able to push all what I have in the second lap. I felt good here after being here since a week. We had the high altitude training in Davos in the past week. It is a nice place, you have tough tracks but also easy once. On my plan is it to go to Rogla next week and skip later on the Tour de Ski."

Kristina Smigun-Vähi (EST):
"I'm very satisfied with my race today. My goal was it to be in top 10, I didn't believe to be on the podium. I had a two year's break behind me and got a baby, Viktoria, and in the first time after having a baby I was not thinking about a comeback. But then 6 month after the birth I felt that I have to do something. I was training for me but then I said to me you can also compete against others and not only training for yourself."

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 12 December 2009

Matti Heikkinen claimed victory
Finland skier took the victory in the 15 km individual start race in free technique in Davos

25-year-old Matti Heikkinen from Finland took the victory in the 15 km individual start race in free technique in Davos (SUI). He finished the 3 x 5 km course in a time of 35:54.8h, 14,4 seconds ahead of the Swedish Marcus Hellner. 23-year-old Maurice Manificat took the third place, 15,9 seconds behind the winner.

The men's race was really exciting and tight. Matti Heikkinen started into the race quite slow. After 5 km he was just 15th but already after 10 km he was third and on km 11,8 - on the nearly highest point of the track he was in the lead and gave that not back. For the french team the race in Davos was a great success. Five french athlete were ranked among the top 10.

For Heikkinen, it was the first World Cup victory after being already on the podium in Beitostoelen at the beginning of the season. The U23-World Champion Maurice Manicat took his first World Cup podium, so far his best rank was 11th place from last season in Vancouver.

New leader of the overall World Cup is Matti Heikkinen with the same points (160pts) then today's 21st Petter Northug but Heikkinen had beside a victory as well a third place on his account while Northug finished so far one time fourth and took one time a victory. On the third rank in the overall World Cup is Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR) with 145 points.

In the distance World Cup, Heikkinen is ahead of Norhtug and Vincent Vittoz (FRA).

Matti Heikkinen (FIN):

I started not so fast but was able to push all on the last round. I tried to be on the highest place on the course in front to have some seconds on my account of the way down to the stadium. I'm very happy about my success. I was here in Davos in the last eight days training and I like this place.

Marcus Hellner (SWE):
"It was a good race. I like it when I can ski in a good rhythm all the way on the racing course. The course here fit's me very well. My goal in this season will be the 15 km in the Olympics. It feels good to have a second place in this kind of race already now on my account."

Maurice Manificat (FRA):
"It is unbelievable - just manific! I was hoping this year of a top ten place in the World Cup race, so far I managed the top 15 but I didn't believe to be on the podium today. We all in our team had just amazing ski's - our staff did a good job but also Davos fit's us all well and as well the altitude."

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 12 December 2009