Prologue winner Petra Majdic (SLO) and Eldar Roenning from Norway are the winners of the third stage of the Tour de Ski.

Majdic claimed clearly victory ahead of the current Tour leader Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) and Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) on the challenging 1,6 km classical course in Oberhof. Justyna Kowalcyzk is still leading in the Tour ranking, now with 4,3 seconds ahead of Aino Kaisa Saarinen. On third position is currently Kristin Steira, 30,1 seconds behind Kowalczyk.

In the Tour Sprint ranking. Petra Majdic is after her victory clearly in the lead with now 1:15 min, 14 seconds ahead of Justyna Kowalczyk and on third position is Aino Kaisa Saarinen.

Eldar Roenning won the first sprint of the Tour also clearly ahead of Petter Northug (NOR) and Axel Teichmann (GER). Ivan Alypov (RUS), who finished in the race originally second, was later on ranked last in the heat by the jury due to obstractions in the final.

Petter Northug (NOR) is still the leader of the Tour ranking 9,8 seconds ahead Axel Teichmann (GER). Emil Joensson, who finished today fifth is third 20,9 seconds behind the winner. In the Tour sprint ranking, Northug is leading with 1:11 min , 11 seconds ahead of Eldar Roenning. Axel Teichmann is third in this ranking.

Quotes

Petra Majdic - winner of the day
"I am very happy about my victory today. My service team prepared for me perfect skis with ideal grip wax. I was little bit slower than Justyna in dowhnhills but it was OK as I wanted to attack in the uphills.I am absolutely happy today as it was my first victory in the classcial Sprint this season. It is especially important to me because of the Olympics in Canada.
I must be happy about the Tour so far. I have captured 2 victories and one big disapiontment. Yesterday's race took away a lot of energy. I was feeling today tired after the qualification but felt stronger and stronger during the race."

Justyna Kowalczyk Tour Leader
"I am very happy with my second place today. It was tough race for me. I look fotrward to Toblach for a distance race. I feel really tired now. We are now going to Prague. I will get some sleap in the car and try to rest as much as possible for tomorrow's race. There is a new course in Prague. I am wondering how it will look like."

Eldar Roenning - Winner of the day
"Its my first victory in this season and I am very happy about that. It was a great sprint course here. With nice uphills and long finish. I feel pretty tired now so I do not think about tomorrow's sprint. It is also a long drive to Prague. Of course for me sprint in classic is better than free but I heard the course in Prague includes an uphill as well so we will see how my performance will be tomorrow."

Petter Northug - Tour leader & Sprint leader
"I am very satisfied. My goal before the race was to proceed to semifinals. I saw Emil Joensson slowed down in the last curve and there was Alypov and all the mess. I was skiing from behind and I had advantage beacause I saw what was going on. I wanted to pass by and go to finish."

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 3 January 2010