NORDIC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. Sergey Ustiugov grabbed the gold medal for the junior sprint classic champion in Otepää. Russiad Ustiugov spurted over Sondre Turvoll Fossli of Norway. Russian set of medals grew more with third place of Gleb Retivykh.

Fossli was in great shape today winning the qualifying session. The Norwegian was unstoppable in quarterfinal and semifinal where he clearly dominated. In the finals Ustiugov, Fossli and Retivykh were in the lead. Emil Iverssen was close behind fighting for best position. The four escaped the rest of the field in the last uphill and created a gap. In the finish straight after the last curve Ustiugov had more power in his arms and spurted over runner up Fossli. Iverssen did not manage to come closer to Retivykh and challenge him for third place and Russian finished comfortably third.

Sergey Ustiugov (RUS)
I am very glad to win this race. And it is also a special day because this is the first time I beat Gleb (Retivykh). This track was very difficult for me. I saw the race where our Russian girl crashed and I was really disappointed about it. It also added strength because now I had to bring the medals to the team.

Sondre Turvoll Fossli (NOR)

I felt pretty good today, but Sergey was just faster than me. I am not disappointed at all, because this is my first year in the junior champs. I am very satisfied. My skis were really good. I really liked the track, there was a lot of double polling and I am strong in it. I started hard from the beginning, but it would have been better if I had had an easy start.

Gleb Retivykh (RUS)

I am very satisfied with the result. I also expected medal last year, but then my skis were not good. Today I was a little exhausted before the final so I am very happy with my result. It was a tough competition. At the last uphill all four of us were together, but downhill I tried to break away. It is very hard track here at Otepää.

FIScrosscountry.com
Friday 28 January 2011

Lucia Anger sprints for gold in Otepää

Germany’s Lucia Angere became today Sprint Classic Junior Champion. The young German edged out Kari Oeyre Slind of Norway to second place. Slind’s compatriot Ragnhild Haga took bronze medal.

Big favorite for today’s victory Hanna Kolb started very strong and won the qualification. Kolb was superior also in quarterfinal and semifinal. In the final Kolb, Soboleva and Anger broke away and created a gap. In the last uphill Kolb lost balance when changing track, fell down and took with her also Elena Soboleva. Lucia Anger took her chance and was rushing to the finish line. Kari Oeyre Slind came from behind but did not have enough power to beat Anger and finished second +0.3 sec behind. Winner of the opening junior race over 5 km free Ragnhild Haga claimed third place.

Lucia Anger (GER)
I had a very good day. Semifinals went well and I hoped to win a medal. It feels very good to be the champion. I hoped to win the medal in a competition, but the sprint gold medal is a surprise for me. My tactics today was to go as fast as I could. I saw what happened when the crash took place. I looked that I could pass them from left and and it was very colse for me as well.

Kari Oeyre Slind (NOR)

The crash is part of the game, but I feel lucky today. I passed them and I did not get involve in the accident. I didn’t expect to be on the podium, but of course I had hoped to be in top three. You just have to be a little lucky to get there. Last year I was also on the podium. I like the sprint track in Otepää. The hills are perfect for me.

Ragnhild Haga (NOR)

I felt pretty good today; I was lucky in the final. My tactics was to go as fast as

I could for the last 200 meters. I saw what happened when they crashed, I was pretty far behind. I thought that I had the chance to follow them. And then I saw them

falling down and not getting up, that was my opportunity. I think I’m in good shape, but I didn’t expect a medal today, it was very surprising. It is incredible!

FIScrosscountry.com
Friday 28 January 2011