The 4 x times Junior World Champion repeated his victory from last year in the Pursuit in the challenging condition in a time of 56:54min. He finished clearly 41,3 seconds ahead of the surprising Petrica Hogiu from Roumania. On third place finished in a tight finish sprint Finn Haagen Krogh.

Sedov dominated the race like before Flugstad Oestberg in the ladies race. In the second part of the race he increased his speed and made the gap to this competitors. Hogiu, who was 8th after 10 km, cased the podium candidates and finish on an historical second place for Roumania.

Petr Sedov (RUS)
Conditions were extremely hard today and the race was very tough. My strategy was to go in front in the classical part and gain some seconds. I build up my pace and after change over to free technique I increased the time gap. I won my 5th medal at Junior Worlds and I am very happy about that. Now I will come back to Russia. I will have a rest for a few days and after join the national team.

Petrica Hogue (ROU)
I am very happy. I did not think I could be on podium today. I still cannot believe I claimed silver medal. I have been working very hard this year and everything paid back today. I will work now even harder and I want to be the champion next time.

Finn Haagen Krogh (NOR)
My tactic today was start slower in the classic part and than attack in free technique. We created a small group with 2-3 athletes and could rest little bit. I felt little bit tired after first 10 km. In last kilometres I felt strong. The finish was very tight but I was confident I could make it. I have not been training sprints this season but I have focused on power and speed training.

Oestberg won her 6th Junior World Champion title

The likable athlete dominated the race and won in a time of 30:51min. Oestberg, who was already second in sprint and the individual start at the Notschrei, finished clearly, 46,6 seconds ahead of her team mate Heidi Weng. The success of the Norwegians made Tuva Toftdahl in a tight finish sprint complete on the third rank, 58,1 seconds behind the winner.

Oestberg was already in the lead after 5 km and changed first the ski's ahead of her team mate Heidi Weng. On third position was at that time the Swedish top athlete Lisa Larsson. In the free technique part, Oestberg, who was a bit disappointed after her race on Wednesday, increased the pace and showed clearly her strenght. Heidi Weng secured her second place while Tuva Toftdahl, who was six after 5km, made an amazing finish and took the third spot 0,1 second ahead of the Japanese Michiko Kashiwabara.

Ingvild Flugstad Ostberg (NOR)
It was a perfect race for me today. I must admit I was a bit worried in the morning when I saw so much snow falling. I prefere more compact and firm conditions. I wanted to be in front of the field and control the race. But after classic part nobody was skiing with me. So I skied as fast as possible. I am very happy today. I have won ninth medal at Junior Worlds. I did not think about this before the race so much but it gave me extra motivation.

Heidi Weng (NOR)
It is great to win silver at Junior World Champs. I was very tired after the race. It was tough and difficult with a lot of snow coming in. 10 km race is my favorite but Ingvild was very strong today and I could not hold with her.

Tuva Toftdahl (NOR)
I am so happy for the bronze medal. I was 6th after classic part. I felt very strong when changing over to skating. I was not tired as the others. Lisa Larsen was losing and I pass over her. In the finish I had a very tight sprint fight with Michiko Kashiwabara (JPN). I was faster by only 0.1 sec. Gaining all podium places today gives us extra motivation and strength into the relay competition.

FIScrosscountry.com
Friday 29 January 2010