CROSS COUNTRY, TOUR DE SKI. Sweden's Anna Haag scores first victory on the World Cup level as she takes stage victory in today's pursuit 5+5 km in Oberstdorf. Finland's Matti Heikkinen took victory in the Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski over 10 + 10 km Pursuit.

Anna Haag (SWE) claimed victory in the 4th stage of Tour de Ski in the ladies 10 km Pursuit in Oberstdorf. Haag  took the victory in the tight race ahead of her team mate, Charlotte Kalla with 0.6 seconds, and the Norwegian Marthe Kristoffersen with 7.4 seconds. Arianna Follis (ITA) finished fourth, Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) fifth, and Marianna Longa (ITA) came in sixth. Haag took her first win on the World Cup level by winning the Tour stage today.

During the race, there was an early fight in the front group of the 5 km classic and 5 km free Pursuit. Kowalczyk, Kalla, Kristoffersen, Follis, Longa and Johaug were all chasing the bonus second they could win. The Polish skier won both intermediate sprints and gained therefore 30 bonus seconds.

Haag realized her stage win by attacking together with Charlotte Kalla on the last uphill called Burgstall. She made a small gap together with her team to the other skiers and were able to hold it until the finish where Haag beat her team mate and friend Kalla.

Kowalczyk is leading the Tour standing with the dominate time 1:19.8 min  ahead of Charlotte Kalla. Marianna Longa from Italy is currently third, 1:22.1min behind Kowalczyk. In the sprint Tour ranking, Justyna Kowalczyk is also leading with 1:56min. Kalla is second with 1:02min in total whilst Petra Majdic is third with 1:00min.

Quotes

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

"I am really really really tired, my legs are dead and my hands are cold. I struggled a bit both up and downhill today, but my skis were not that bad, just a small mistake with the grip. I was very tired in the last uphill, and I saw that this hill were all about the Swedish girls. Tour de Ski is still not decided, we have skating in the second step and that is not my speciality. I think everyone will give it all to the final climb and it will be interesting".

Haag (SWE)

"I am really proud of what I did today. I have not done any races this good earlier in Tour de Ski, and I look forward to have a soft, relaxing day tomorrow.
I am not sure why I was so strong, I really wanted to do a good race, and I just made up my mind to go hard and ski well. I hope to continue doing some good races, and hopefully do a good final climb in Val di Fiemme. It will be very nice with a rest day, as I think everyone is starting to feel pain in the body and head".

Matti Heikkinen takes Tour de Ski Stage 4 win in Oberstdorf

Heikkinen spurted over Tour leader Dario Cologna in the last 500 m before the finish line and edged the Swiss by +1.0 seconds. Jean Marc Gaillard from France just edged out of the podium in the photo finish against Martin Jaks (CZE) and took the fourth spot.

The Pursuit over 10 km classic and 10 km free technique was an exciting and challenging one. With the chance of winning a total of 90 bonus seconds during the race, a total of 11 athletes managed to win bonus seconds but the Tour favorites took control on all, and were always present in front of the bunch. Tour leader Dario Cologna won a total of 40 seconds. Marcus Hellner (SWE) gained 35 seconds and Lukas Bauer (CZE) took 25 seconds during the entire competition. Petter Northug (NOR) took 25 seconds but lost the 15 bonus second he won at 14.5 km due to the fact that he was not following the best line. 

Dario Cologna increased his lead in the overall Tour de Ski ranking, with 44.9 seconds down to Devon Kershaw (CAN) and 1.06.1 seconds ahead of Marcus Hellner.

Cologna is also ahead in  the Tour de Ski sprint ranking with 1:47min. Marcus Hellner and Devon Kershaw follows on the second respectively on third spot.

Weather conditions: -10 degrees, sunshine
Snow conditions: hard packed snow
Spectators: 6500

Quotes:

Matti Heikkinen (FIN)

"The classical was quite difficult today, but the free technique went better. My victory gives me a good sign. My season started in Gaellivare I was 82th. I have increased my positions in the races. My main goal is still in February, so I think there's still many things to do better
I had 3 options in Tour de Ski: First: don’t go; Second: go and do some races; Third: entire Tour de Ski. Now I have to watch what's rest, I will take day by day, I dont want to risk anything with Oslo.
Yesterday I said to my team mate Sami Jauhojärvi I could do Tour de Ski  without any resting days, but today I feel somehow different. I look forward to some rest tomorrow.

Dario Cologna (SUI)

"It was a good race for me, I felt quite good. When the race started I had good legs. I was always in the front and I was able to take several bonus seconds. My shape is really good at the moment, and I had good control today. Once the shape is here, everything is going better, and I recover faster. I hope my shape will continue in Toblach and Val di Fiemme. The start was good, but TdS is still just half time., I will do my best to stay focused and do my best in the coming days.”

FIScrosscountry.com
Monday 3 January 2011