CROSS COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Ilia Chernousov sprints to World Cup victory in 20 m Pursuit. Chernousov edged out Jean Marc Gaillard in the home straight. Maurice Manificat goes for third place.

Ilia Chernousov did a very good race today. Chernousov responded to the attack of Jean Marc Gaillard (FRA) and spurted over the Frenchman at the home straight edging him out to second place with a gap of 0,4 seconds. Maurice Manificat completed the French success by scoring the third place in today’s 10 km +10 km Pursuit.

 The starter field stayed compact in the classic 10 km part of the race. Before the ski exchange thirteen athletes skied in the leading group. Italy’s Giorgio Di Centa took over the command in first meters of the free technique part while Tobias Angerer, Italians Roland Clara and as well the both French Jean Marc Gaillard and Maurice Manificat were was very active in the front.

In the second last uphill of the final 2,5km loop Gaillard charged for attack and managed to open a gap of about 20 meters to the rest. Russia’s Ilia Chernousov fought back and closed the gap in the final climb. The duo came together in the stadium. Chernousov was able to take the avantage out of the slipstream of Gaillard and claimed victory – his first World Cup victory in his career. Maurice Manificat rounded out French success of the day and scored third place. Alexander Legkov who suffered flu is back in World Cup trails in decent shape scoring 7th place.

Dario Cologna, who is currently taking part at the Swiss National Championships is still in the overall World Cup lead with 1197 points. Petter Northug jr. is second with 774 points. Lukas Bauer is third with 698 points.

The order in the Distance World Cup ranking is Cologna (481 points), Alexander Legkov (447 points) and Lukas Bauer (400 points).

Weather: cloudy, - 0,5°
Snow Conditions: natural snow
Spectators: 8’000

Quotes

Ilia Chernousov (RUS)

I’m very happy. It is my first World Cup victory and the race was very important for me to get qualified for the World Championships. I had to be in top 6 today for the ticket to Oslo and I made it. I saw Jean Marc’s effort on the last uphill but felt he was exhausted and knew I could show fast finish. I like this final fight.

Jean Marc Gaillard (FRA)

Great thanks to our service-men for perfect skis. I felt that they work well and decided to attack on the second last uphill because finish is not my strongest point. But it took all remaining energy and Ilia closed the gap on the last climb. Anyway I’m satisfied with my second place and grateful to the spectators.

Maurice Manificat (FRA)

I’m happy because I demonstrated good skiing and good shape. Probably it is a result of recent training camp in Les Saisies. Jean Marc was really fast on the second last uphill and I could do nothing about it but I worked hard up to the finish.

FIScrosscountry.com
Friday 4 February 2011

Justyna Kowalczyk takes clear victory in Rybinsk

Justyna Kowalczyk from Poland and the Russian Ilia Chernousov claimed victory in the today’s Pursuit race in Rybinsk.

Kowalczyk clearly won 5km +5 km Pursuit ahead of Italians Marianna Long, who lost contact to Kowalczyk in the free technique part, with a 9,8 seconds margin. Aino Kaisa Saarinen of Finland came third by finishing 20,6 seconds behind the winner.

Trio Kowalczyk, Longa and Saarinen broke away from the rest of the field shortly after the start. Kowalczyk took came first to the exchange after the classical part at 5km closely followed by Aino Kaisa Saarinen. At the half way point at 5.0 km Marianna Longa was on third position with a 8 seconds gap.

In the free technique part of the race Aino Kaisa Saarinen failed to keep up the high pace with Kowalczyk. Longa came from behind, closed the gap and tried to come closer to the Polish. Kowalczyk kept the steady pace and came in the finish with a clear margin of 9.8 seconds on runner up Marianna Longa. Saarinen defended third place against Arianna Follis (4th place) and Riitta Liisa Roponen (5th place) who came from behind.

In the overall World Cup ranking, Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) increased her lead up to 586 points ahead of Arianna Follis. Just eight points behind Follis is currently Marit Bjoergen (NOR) who is not competing in Rybinsk. In the Distance World Cup the current order is Justyna Kowalczyk (787 points) ahead of Marit Bjoergen (510 points) and Marianna Longa (441 points).

Quotes

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

I was nervous before the start because the skis did not work well in classics. We all had the same problem. But when the race began I felt that skiing is good enough. And then you just fight as always. I’m tired, happy and hungry.

Marianna Longa (ITA)

It was slippery today. These conditions do not allow for perfect classical skiing. My goal was to stick to Justyna and Aino. And skating was perfect, so I succeeded and took the second place. It is very nice here in Rybinsk, the public help us to ski fast.

Aina Kaisa Saarinen (FIN)

I’m very happy about my podium today. I had an injury and the whole season was very hard. I felt myself quite confident in classics but I could not grasp my free style. Now I feel I’m coming back in shape and this is very important in the view of coming World Championship.

FIScrosscountry.com
Friday 4 February 2011