In the final heat, the prologue winner Vesna Fabjan (SLO) was as well the fastest on the 1,3 km course and claimed victory just ahead of Magda Genuin from Italia. On the third place finsihed the World Cup overall leader Justyna Kowalczyk (POL).

For Fabjan it was the first World Cup victory ever in her career after having a good season so far with an podium place at the World Cup sprint in Düsseldorf (GER). Magda Genuin made her best ever place in the World Cup in her career. Before she was already three times on the podium but always on the third position.

Justyna Kowalczyk increase her lead in the overall World Cup ranking to now 1285 points. Petra Majdic, who is currently training in Rogla, is second with 1147 points. On third position is Aino Kaisa Saarinen.

Petra Majdic is still leading the Sprint World Cup 83 points ahead of Justyna Kowalczyk.

In the men's race, it was a tight fight for the victory under team-mates. The Russian dominated the final heat and also here the prologue winner Nikolay Morilov took the victory. He finished just ahead of this team-mate and Düsseldorf-winner Alexei Petukhov while Nikita Kriukov repeated his podium spot from Otepää and took the third place.

It was the first individual World Cup victory for Nikolay Morilov while Alexei Petukhov managed today to complete a full podium serie with being each one time first, second and third in this season.

In the overall World Cup, Petter Northug (NOR), who is currently racing in the Norwegian Championships, is with 1060 points in the lead. Second is with in total 763 points Lukas Bauer (CZE) while Marcus Hellner from Sweden is third.

In the sprint World Cup ranking, Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR) is leading only 2 points ahead of Nikita Kriukov while Alexei Petukhov has also only a small gap of 9 points to Hattestad.

Vesna Fabjan (SLO)
I felt confident from the morning. I knew I could win. The track is wonderful, the skis worked perfectly. Thank you very much to my technican. I'm very happy about my victory and my performance today.
Magda Genuin (ITA)
Rybinsk is a lucky place for me. It's my second podium here in two years. The audience is great, the organization is very good. I had to work a lot with my legs. At the end it was not enough for the victory, Vesna was stronger but I am still very, very happy!

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
I'm happy about today's race. The girls were very strong so third place here in Rybinsk is very good for me. But my main race is tomorrow and there I will fight. I like very much the Pursuit and I like to fight for the bonus points.

Nikolay Morilov (RUS)
I'm happy that the race was tough today. But the track is very familiar for us, we spent a week here in October practicing this very route and are very grateful to the Demino skiing center for the conditions they provided us with. It is my first individual victory and that is just amazing. I'm looking forward to the Olympics where I'm will compete in the sprint and team sprint - there with Alexei Petukhov together.

Alexei Petukhov (RUS)
I'm happy not only about my second place. All the podium is Russian and this is great. I want to thank the audience and the organizers. You inspire us for showing good results.

Nikita Kriukov (RUS)
I'm happy, this is my first podium place in skate sprint. Due to strong competitors I managed to show good results.

FIScrosscountry.com
Friday 22 January 2010