GALLIVARE, Sweden (AP)—Marcus Hellner of Sweden and Marit Bjoergen of Norway opened the new World Cup season with wins.

Marit Bjoergen of Norway jubilates as she passes the finish line in the 10 km freestyle world cup race in Gallivare, Sweden, on Saturday Nov. 20, 2010. Photo: FREDRIK SANDBERG / SCANPIX SWEDEN

Hellner won the 15-kilometer freestyle, and Bjoergen won the 10-kilometer event. Hellner leading from the start and held off Dario Cologna of Switzerland. He finished in 32 minutes, 26.0 seconds, beating Cologna by 11.4 seconds. Hellner had the fastest time at every intermediate control, gradually increasing his lead over Cologna—a fellow Olympic gold medalist from Vancouver. Daniel Rickardsson of Sweden was third, 20.1 seconds back. Defending World Cup champion Petter Northug of Norway skipped the event because of an illness.

Second placed Dario Cologna of Switzerland, left, winner Marcus Hellner of Sweden, center, and third placed Daniel Rickardsson of Sweden, right, pose for the photographers after the men's 15 km freestyle world cup race in Gallivare, Sweden, on Saturday Nov. 20, 2010. SWEDEN OUT Photo: FREDRIK SANDBERG / SCANPIX SWEDEN

Bjoergen, a three-time Olympic champion, won in 23 minutes, 48.4 seconds. Charlotte Kalla of Sweden—the Olympic champion over the distance—finished 41.1 seconds behind and Arianna Follis of Italy was third.

AP
November 20, 2010

Third placed Arianna Follis of Italiy, left, winner Marit Bjoergen of Norway, center, and second placed Charlotte Kalla of Sweden, right, pose for the photographers after the 10 km freestyle world cup race in Gallivare, Sweden, on Saturday Nov. 20, 2010. SWEDEN OUT Photo: FREDRIK SANDBERG / SCANPIX SWEDEN

Marcus Hellner shines in Gällivare and conquers home victory

Marcus Hellner was unbeatable today and conquered victory in the opening race of the new season. He could not have wished a better result.

In the men’s 15 km interval start race, Marcus Hellner won in the stadium that is called after him in a tight fight against Dario Cologna his second World Cup victory. Two year’s ago he made on the same spot his first ever World Cup victory and were able to repeat that now with a gap of 11,4 seconds to the Swiss Olympic Champion. Daniel Rickardsson took the third place 20,1 seconds behind the winner. It was the first time that the Olympic Champion of the relay claimed on the World Cup podium in a free technique race.

 Marcus Hellner had the fastest intermediate time at 5 km and 10 km while Dario decreased the gap in the second round but was not able to catch up the Swedish Olympic Champion. Hellner, who lives in Gällivare, were dressed new into the yellow bib for the World Cup leader. He is leading the standing 20 points ahead of Dario Cologna and 40 for Daniel Rickardsson.

Quotes
Markus Hellner (SWE)

I had very good feeling, I felt like I had control today. It was really inspiring to race with all my best friends cheering out on the course, in my home town. I got one thought in the first lap that “you’re gonna win this”. I don’t want to feel like that, I thought that I should be focused on the race and not on what I would be or not. I was trying to stay focused and push myself. In the second lap I got some indications that Dario was faster than me and I thought that I most prepare to fight hard with him the last lap. I was a little bit worried because I felt more tired in the second lap, but then in the third it was feeling better again. I got, like I said, very good cheering from the people and it gave me energy to go hard in the end.

Dario Cologna (SUI)

Of course I’m very happy with the second place. I had a very good summer training. For the first race it’s always difficult to say how the shape is. Now I know that everything is going well. I’m satisfied and I had a good speed over the whole track and I think Marcus was too strong and he’s the right winner today.

It’s a good track, it’s a technical track with a lot of corners. And also good uphills I guess I like it, it’s a little bit like Vancouver. I had to be careful and I like this track. Now I want to take this good place to Kuusamo and still do good races there. I like these mini tours. The first and also Davos will be a main goal for me and at home. And then first main goal is Tour de Ski. I want to be on the podium again.

Daniel Rickardsson (SWE)

I have practiced a lot on my free technique this summer and autumn. Of course I’m really happy, because this is my first free technique podium place so it’s surprising for me too. Yeah, I really like it. It’s like Dario say, a tough course with a lot of corners and you have to be focused all the time. I haven’t trained so much here but I’ve had some competitions here before. I think it’s a really good course. My goal this year is like many others, the World Championship in Oslo. I have especially focused on the 50 kilometres classic style there. But now I think I’m, like now, good in free technique. Maybe some other races could be good for me to.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday, 20 November 2010

Marit Bjeorgen opens the season with clear victory

Marit Bjoergen from Norway claimed victory in the first race of the season, the interval start over 10 km free technique

Bjoerhen finished in 23:48,4min with a big gap of 41,1 second ahead the home favorite Charlotte Kalla (SWE). Arianna Follis captured the last spot of the podium and finished third 51,4 seconds behind the winner.

Bjoergen dominated the race on the technical challenging course during the entire 10km and kept Charlotte Kalla who grew up close to Gällivare in a good distance. Arianna Follis had a tight fight with Kirstin Stoermer Steira for the third spot. For Bjoergen it was the 38th victory whilst Kalla fixed her 8th podium spot in her career.

The new leader of the overall World Cup is Marit Bjoergen (NOR) with 100 points, 20 points ahead of Kalla and 40 points ahead of Follis.

Quotes
Marit Bjoergen (NOR)

I think it was my best skating race ever. I knew that I was in good shape, I did a very good race in Beitostølen last week. But in the beginning of this week I was little bit not feeling so good. It was a tough race last Saturday. But yesterday and today I felt that I am ok and 100 % fit. I have been good all the summer and working very hard. Hopefully I will keep the yellow shirt to Christmas.

Charlotte Kalla (SWE)

It was a fantastic audience around the track, they screamed and it was really nice to compete today. Good conditions. It’s a tough track, quite technical one so I tried to do my best and I think it’s really fair.

It’s quite exciting to go the first race. It’s many months since I compete against the other so I looked forward to start today.

Arianna Follis (ITA)

I’m very happy because I start this season very good. I have a good feeling. The track is very nice, good for me because there is a technical track with many corners and it’s good for me. My training in summer in general was very well.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 20 November 2010

Results Saturday from the season-opening cross country skiing World Cup GALLIVARE, Sweden

Men 15K (freestyle)
    1. Marcus Hellner, Sweden, 32 minutes, 26.0 seconds.
    2. Dario Cologna, Switzerland, 32:37.4.
    3. Daniel Rickardsson, Sweden, 32:46.1.
    4. Chris Andre Jespersen, Norway, 32:48.0.
    5. Petr Sedov, Russia, 32:50.7.
    6. Alexander Legkov, Russia, 32:56.4.
    7. Sjur Roethe, Norway, 33:04.5.
    8. Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, 33:08.8.
    9. Kris Freeman, United States, 33:09.1.
    10. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Norway, 33:12.3.

World Cup Standings
    1. Marcus Hellner, Sweden, 100 points.
    2. Dario Cologna, Switzerland, 80.
    3. Daniel Rickardsson, Sweden, 60.
    4. Chris Andre Jespersen, Norway, 50.
    5. Petr Sedov, Russia, 45.
    6. Alexander Legkov, Russia, 40.
    7. Sjur Roethe, Norway, 36.
    8. Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, 32.
    9. Kris Freeman, United States, 29.
    10. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Norway, 26.

Women 10K (freestyle)
    1. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 23 minutes, 48.4 seconds.
    2. Charlotte Kalla, Sweden, 24:29.5.
    3. Arianna Follis, Italy, 24:39.8.
    4. Kristin Stoermer Steira, Norway, 24:46.5.
    5. Marthe Kristoffersen, Norway, 24:47.2.
    6. Vibeke Skofterud, Norway, 24:48.7.
    7. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, 25:04.3.
    8. Anna Haag, Sweden, 25:04.8.
    9. Nicole Fessel, Germany, 25:10.7.
    9. Therese Johaug, Norway, 25:10.7.

World Cup Standings
    1. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 100 points.
    2. Charlotte Kalla, Sweden, 80.
    3. Arianna Follis, Italy, 60.
    4. Kristin Stoermer Steira, Norway, 50.
    5. Marthe Kristoffersen, Norway, 45.
    6. Vibeke Skofterud, Norway, 40.
    7. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, 36.
    8. Anna Haag, Sweden, 32.
    9. Nicole Fessel, Germany, 29.
    9. Therese Johaug, Norway, 29.