CROSS COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Neither Lukas Bauer, not Alexander Legkov nor Dario Cologna but Alexey Poltaranin romped for victory in today's 15 km Classic in Davos.

Alexey Poltaranin claimed his first World Cup victory in the men’s 15 km classic race. The racers from Kazakhstan finished in a tight race 0,9 seconds ahead of Alexander Legkov from Russia. The Czech Lukas Bauer is back on the World Cup podium by taking the third spot 4,0 seconds behind the winner. Home favourite Dario Cologna, who is just leaving a couple of meters from the stadium just edged out by being just 0,3 slower than Bauer.

Poltaranin started with the 10th best time after km 1,6 km in the race. The 23-year-old athlete increased his speed until the end of the race while his strongest contenders, World Cup leader Alexander Legkov had the best intermediate time until km 10 but then lost on the last lap a bit against Poltaranin.

For Kazakhstan, the victory of Poltaranin is the first win since March 1998 when Vladimir Smirnov won the 30 km in Lahti.

In the overall World Cup, Legkov has increased his lead to Cologna to 37 points. Third is still Marcus Hellner (SWE), who finished today on place 33, with 133 points gap to the leader. In the distance World Cup, Legkov took as well the lead just 4 points ahead of Dario Cologna.

Quotes

Alexey Poltaranin (KAZ)

Today I claimed my first World Cup victory and I had the best race ever. I felt strong today and my skis were very good as well. I did no change too much in my summer training. My coach and me focused even more on classic technique and we also introduced some new elements in training. On Monday we are going to La Clusaz where I would like to deliver a good result in 30 km race.

Alexander Legkov (RUS)

I’m for the first time in yellow bib and maybe it gave me wings today. I’m satisfied with second place today. In spite of difficult snow situation my skis were excellent and helped me a lot to achieve this success. I realized that I was loosing on Alexey because I heard the speaker in the stadium. I happy Alexey claimed his first World Cup victory today.

Lukas Bauer (CZE)

I’m very satisfied with my third place today particularly in regards to the fact that I was not settled with my classic technique after World Cups in Scandinavia. It was visible that the competition was very strong today. Also waxing was a challenge. I chose my skis three minutes before the start. From 7th km to the stadium I had to overcome a small crises but I hung on George Grey and he helped me. Atmosphere alongside the course was perfect. I was skiing a few minutes behind Dario and fans cheered on me as well.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 11 December 2010

Marit Bjeorgen carries on winning series and captures victory in Davos

Marit Bjoergen remained unbeaten also in today’s World Cup race in Davos over 10 km classic.

The Norwegian Olympic Champion won with a decisive margin over runner up Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) and beat her by +29,3 sec. Therese Johaug (NOR) who finished third and lost on Bjoergen +39,1 sec rounded out Norwegian success in Davos.

Bjoergen captured the top spot in a wire-to-wire style as she dominated all the split times and intermediate points. Justyna Kowalczyk was collecting the time gap on Bjoergen throughout the whole race. Third on the podium, Therese Johaug started fast and at first intermediate point at 1.6 km was second, +6.2 sec behind Bjoergen. Johaug failed to keep up the pace and after half of the race was loosing on her teammate already 21 seconds. Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) returned in a great style after her shoulder injury she suffered before the season kick-off in Gaelivare and finished today fourth +1:37 min behind Bjoergen.

In the World Cup ranking, Bjoergen increased her lead by having now 540 points in total, Justyna Kowalczyk moved to the second place (389 points) while Charlotte Kalla, who was not competing today is third with 311 points. In the distance World Cup, Bjoergen led the ranking with 85 points ahead of Justyna Kowalczyk and Therese Johaug is third.

Quotes

Marit Bjoergen (NOR)

Davos hasn’t been actually my favorite place but today I had very good skis, my body responded very well and shape was good. I will be at the start of the sprint tomorrow. I have not skied the sprint course but I think it is pretty much the same. Of course I will loose a race this season. It may come tomorrow.

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

I’m satisfied as this is my first podium in my life in Davos. My skis were quite good today. I hope my shape will be better and better. When Marit was coming closer I felt tired. I will start tomorrow but it is hard to predict my result.

Therese Johaug (NOR)

I’m really happy with my race today. It was my first podium this season. I never went faster in Davos than today. I m really happy. My skis were really good. I like the course here very much. I’m really happy and am just smiling.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 11 December 2010