CROSS COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Norway I (Vibeke Skofterud, Therese Johaug, Kristin Steira and Marit Bjeorgen) won clearly by +57 seconds ahead of Italy (Virgina De Martin Topranin, Marianna Longa, Silvia Rupil and Arianna Follis). Sweden (Sara Lindborg, Anna Haag, Maria Rydqvist and Charlotte Kalla) finished third having lost on Norway +1:24 min.

Right from the start Vibeke Skofterud led the start field together with her compatriot Astrid Jacobsen who was skiing in the team Norway II. In the second lap of the first classic leg Skofterud and Jacobsen opened up a gap, which increased to 15 seconds at the first exchange. Therese Johaug was skiing in good shape today and increased the margin by another seconds to +18 sec after 10 km. Marthe Kristoffersen who was on the second classic leg for Norway II failed to keep up with Johaug and fell back in the field. Marianna Longa did a good job in her leg and brought up team Italy to second place.

Kristin Steira and Marit Bjoeregen in their free technique legs kept the high pace and increased the gap on the Italians with Silvia Rupil and Arianna Follis who could not come closer on the leaders. In the last 2.5 km Charlotte Kalla escaped Finnish youngster Krista Lahteenmaki and brought team Sweden to third place.

Weather: cloudy, windy 0 ° C

Snow Conditions: Packed powder

Quotes
Kristin Steira (NOR)

I twas a good race for me. I did my own race in front as I had already a comfortable gap. I really like the track here, it fits me well and the atmosphere is good. The victory for our team is great, we all know a relay is a relay and all can happen but today all of us were very strong.

Arianna Follis (ITA)

I did my race without any stress. It is a hard course but I could ski without the pressure from behind and made my race. The second place is great for this quite young team. I wish all now “Merry Christmas” – enjoy the Christmas days!

Anna Haag (SWE)

It was a tough race, really hard. The uphill’s are challenging and you also have never time for a rest in the downhill. After this two days here on this course I am happy to have some rest now. With the result we are very satisfied, it is nice to be on the podium.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 19 December 2010

Curdin Perl takes Switzerland for historical win

Switzerland with Toni Livers, Dario Cologna, Remo Fischer and Curdin Perl clearly claimed victory in the 4 x 10km relay competition in La Clusaz

Switzerland clearly won by +30.8 sec ahead of Russia I (Evgeniy Belov, Alexander Legkov, Petr Sedov and Maxim Vylegzhanin). Petter Northug won sprint against Finland for the third place and brought team Norway I (Eldar Roenning, Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Tord Asle Gjerdalen and Petter Northug) to third.

During the first classical leg the start field remained quite compact. Czech Martin Jaks was quite active and was setting the pace. At the first exchange it was Russia I with Evgeniy Belov who handed over to Alexander Legkov on the first place. Maurice Manificat came second to the exchange. In the second classic leg Alexander Legkov and Dario Cologna formed a very strong duo attacked and created a gap which increased to 35 seconds until the second exchange.

Remo Fischer and Petr Sedov were pushing hard and did not allow Tord Asle Gjerdalen or Petr Novak to come any closer. Finnish Juha Lalluka put a great effort to catch on the Norwegian and Czech. In the last 2.5 km lap of the third leg Remo Fischer showed a lot of self confidence, attacked and brought team Switzerland to third exchange 11 second ahead of Russia’s Sedov.

Curdin Perl skied in the last leg for Switzerland and was able to make the margin on yesterday’s winner Maxim Vylegzhanin even bigger. In the last leg Marcus Hellner was pushing very hard and came in contact with Petter Northug and Matti Heikkinen. Czech Martin Koukal failed to keep the high pace and fell behind. Curdin Perl maintained the pace and brought team Switzerland to the historical first ever World Cup relay victory. Russia’s Maxim Vylegzhanin was loosing in last meters of the race but he was able to bring Russia to second. Petter Northug showed again his sprint strength and defeated in the finish straight Matti Heikkinen.

In the nations cups, Norway is leading thank to the great performance of the women’s with in total 3460 points. Sweden is second with 2970 points and Russia third (2666pts).

Weather: cloudy, windy +1 ° C

Snow Conditions: Packed powder

Quotes
Remo Fischer (SUI)

It is an amazing day, at the moment it is hard to believe. It is the first ever World Cup win for Switzerland. In my leg I skied with Sedov but at km 8,75 I tried to escape on the uphill and it worked out. I had perfect ski’s thanks to the great job of our technician.

Petr Sedov (RUS)

Unfortunately I couldn’t follow Remo Fischer when he attacked on the uphill 1, 2km ahead of the finish. My legs were there a bit stiff. For sure I was first a bit sad but the second place is not bad.

Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR)

It was a good race, for sure it was not 100% but we are on a good way to the World Championships.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 19 December 2010