CROSS-COUNTRY SKI, WORLD CUP. Swedish relay team with Mats Larsson, Johan Olsson, Daniel Rickardsson and the local favourite Marcus Hellner claimed victory in the 4 x 10 km World Cup competition in Gällivare.

The Olympic Champions finished 0,8 seconds ahead of the Russians (Evgeniy Belov, Maxim Vylegzhanin, Petr Sedov and Alexander Legkov). The third place went to Norway (Eldar Roenning, Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Chris Andre Jespersen and Sjur Roethe), that finished 47,9 seconds behind the winning team.

It was a tight fight, Sweden and Russia were always placed in the leading group that at the end the attack of Marcus Hellner against Alexander Legkov at the last uphill decided the race. For the last podium spot only Norway and Switzerland had a change but Swiss last racer, Curdin Perl crashed in the second last curve and Norway could bring the gained advantage to the finish.

After the first weekend Norway is leading the nations cup with 726 points, just 26 points ahead of Sweden (700 points). On the third place is currently Russia.

Marcus Hellner (SWE)
We are really glad about the victory. It was a pressure on us but we are in a good shape as we already showed yesterday. It is fantastic to race here in front of the crowd. My plan was it to let Legkov the lead until the last hill, I know the course very well and I was confident that I can take the victory.

Alexander Legkov (RUS)

I am not happy about the today’s race. I thought I could catch Marcus. I tried to make it a little bit slow at the finish.

Sjur Roethe (NOR)

I was hoping to catch up with the lead, but it was tough. It was a fight between me and Curdin and I felt that I had control of. We had been hoping to fight in the top, and we wanted to beat Sweden. Maybe next time we will beat them.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 21 November 2010

Norway I takes victory in first relay of the season

Norway I with Vibeke W. Skofterud, Therese Johaug, Kristin Stoermer Steira and Marit Bjoergen won the relay of 4 x 5 km in Gällivare

Norwegian ladies won in the time of 50:16 min clearly 26,8 seconds ahead of Sweden I (Britta Johansson Norgren, Anna Haag, Maria Rydqvist and Charlotte Kalla). Team Italy I (Magda Genuin, Marianna Longa, Silvia Rupil, Arianna Follis) took the third spot, 56,2 seconds behind the winning team and just edged out team Germany in the sprint.

Justyna Kowlaczyk brought the Polish team in the lead at the first leg but later on the Norwegian dominated clearly the race, especially Therese Johaug and again Marit Bjoergen showed a great performance and were the fastest in their legs while the Arianna Follis from Italy and Nicole Fessel from Germany were fighting for the last podium spot.

During the first three legs, also the Norwegian team II seemed to be quite strong and were situated on the second place but then in the final leg, the other teams were stronger.

Vibeke Skofterud (NOR)

We are very satisfied with our race. We wanted to win and we did it. I am myself happy about my performance. I was racing the first leg, Justyna was faster but I had good control on the other teams. I was for me a good World Cup kick off weekend.”

Britta Johansson Norgren (SWE)

We did a great team effort today. Norway is incredibly strong. I think we should be very happy with our second place and that we are fighting in the top. We hope that it will be a tough match against Norway in the World Championships.

Arianna Follis (ITA)

It’s a good race, we was in top three. It was me against the German team, we tried hard in the last sprint and won. It’s great for Italian team, we are a young team so we are very happy.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 21 November 2010