NORDIC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.Markus Weeger outclassed the rest of the start field in the 10 km + 10 km Pursuit race at the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Otepää.

Weeger came in the finish with a gap of 19.5 seconds on runner up of Russia Konstantin Kuleev. Perttu Hyvarinen of Finland took bronze after a strong performance in the free technique part of the race.

Start field remained quite compact the whole 10 km classic part. About 20 skiers came together to the exchange zone. In the first free technique 3.3 km loop Weeger tested couple of times his opponents. In the second loop the German attacked in the uphill and nobody could respond. Weeger increased the gap constantly and came to finish with a clear margin. A tight fight for silver and bronze medal took place behind Weeger. Thomas Wick tried to break through but was chased back. Slovenian Rok Trsan was very active as well but couldn’t make it. Perttu Hyvarinen came from behind as he managed to close the gap to the chasing group after the classic part. Hyvarinen accelerate and only Konstanin Kullev and Rok Trsan reacted. Kullev had a more powerful finish and edged out Havyrinin to third place.

For Weeger it is the second medal at this year’s Junior World Championships after finishing second in the 10 km free technique race.

Weather: -0,6°C, windy
Snow: fresh snow, packed

Quotes

Markus Weeger (GER)

I felt very good at the beginning. The wind was very strong, but the race was amazing. The win was a surprise for me; I didn’t understand how I won. I didn’t have any tactics for this race, I just wanted to see, how does it go and now I am a champion. When I saw that I was 25 seconds in front, I knew I was a winner.

Konstantin Kuleev (RUS)

I am quite satisfied with the result. In the classic style we were all together and my tactics was to attack in the later stages. My skies were very good, but the wind affected my speed. It was particularly difficult in the open parts of the course.

Perttu Hyvarinen (FIN)

I am very surprised that I got the third place because the classic style did not work out well for me. I don’t know why, but my legs were not so good in classic. In the free technique part I came back. I am very satisfied with the result. Since Markus was too far away to catch him we were fighting for the second and third place.

Sandra Spitz
FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 30 January 2011

Heidi Weng takes gold in 10 km Pursuit

Heidi Weng and Martine Ek Hagen claimed Norwegian double in Junior 5+5 km Pursuit.

Weng spurted over Hagen in the home straight and claimed long awaited Gold medal. Helene Jakob of Germany, who is one year younger then the both Norwegians, surprisingly took bronze medal.

Weng and Hagen are neighbors, have been in the same class at school and today were far the strongest in the pursuit. Start field remained compact after two 2.5 km classic laps. After the ski exchange Weng lost a bit when Elena Soboleva and Anna Scherbinina pushed hard and created a gap. Weng came back in the second uphill. Hagen moved in front and accelerated in the last lap. Heidi Weng seemed to have problems to follow but stick on Hagen and the Norwegian duo came together in the stadium. In the finish straight Weng had more left in the tank and sprinted over Hagen to gold.

Germany’s Helene Jakob took bronze medal. Jakob was sixth after the classic part and was in contact with the leading group. In the free technique part she got rid of the Russian girls and in second fastest time in the free technique part claimed the bronze medal.

For Weng it was the second medal this year at the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships after being third in the 5 km individual start competition.

Weather: -0,6°C, windy
Snow: fresh, packed

Quotes

Heidi Weng (NOR)

Everything was fantastic today and everything went as I planned. In the last lap I got really tired and I was very close to let Martine go. I thought about the gold medal in this race but I didn’t believe I could win it.

Martine Ek Hagen (NOR)

The race was fun. I had a very good feeling through the whole race and I enjoyed it a lot. I didn’t expect two Norwegians to be on the podium. I expected only Heidi to win but not me. She is in a very good shape.

Helene Jakob (GER)

The race was very good. In the morning my feeling was not so great, but before the race it changed. My skis were very good and classical style went very well. Being in the top ten was what I dreamed about. I am very happy to get the medal; it is a very positive surprise for me.

Sandra Spitz
FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 30 January 2011