CROSS COUNTRY SKI WORLD CUP. Alexei Petukhov pleased the Russian fans at the Demino stadium and clearly sprinted to victory ahead of Ola Vigen Hattestad and Anders Gloeersen (both from Norway).

Petukhov dominated the qualifying session and controlled both quarter and semifinal. In the final the strong Russian was setting the pace with compatriot Nikolay Morilov and seemed to break away from Norwegian duo Hattestad / Gloeersen. Alexey Petukhov set a high pace and nobody could follow the Russian sprint specialist. Petukhov arrived first in the stadium and with a clear margin sprinted to victory. Hattestad and Gloeersen produced impressive spurt and passed both Martin Jaeger of Switzerland and Nikolay Morilov of Russia. Hattestad had more left in the tank, crossed the finish line second and sending Gloeersen to third place.

The overall World Cup ranking remains the same with Dario Cologna (SUI) in the lead followed by Petter Northug (NOR) and Lukas Bauer (CZE).

In the sprint World Cup ranking Ola Vigen Hattestad has moved in the lead with in total 344 points. Emil Joensson from Sweden is second, 14 points behind Hattestad while Alexei Petukhov is third with 277 points.

Quotes

Alexei Petukhov (RUS)

I am so glad. I took second places here twice already and of course wished to win. This time I decided to escape not looking back. On the last downhill I managed to see the gap was big enough so I could even afford greeting spectators on the finish.

Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR)

I’m satisfied with my second place. Alexei was very strong and made such a gap that I could not reach him. But I chose a good tactics staying behind the other athletes and being able to control the race. I like Rybinsk for its special atmosphere created by numerous spectators, it’s always a pleasure to ski here.

Anders Gloeersen (NOR)

I’m happy about my podium because I managed to get there in such strong company. And my third place gave me the opportunity to participate in the Championship – my coach told me in the finish that I am now qualified. I’ll recover a bit and then start preparing for home starts.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 5 February 2011

Vesna Fabjan leads Slovenia to double victory in Rybinsk

Fabjan led the Slovenian team to double victory as qualification winner Katja Visnar finished second. Justyna Kowalczyk showed again her sprint power and took the third place.

Fabjan and Visnar were in the lead on the whole 1.3 km course. Italian team was very successful having Magda Genuin, Arianna Follis and Marianna Longa in the final. Justyna Kowalczyk started slowly and skied the first part on the last position. Before the last uphill Kowalczyk moved forward and was close behind the leading Slovenian duo. Coming in the stadium Kowalczyk attacked but Fabjan fought back and secured first place. Visnar beat Kowalczyk by a tip of the toe and claimed second place.

For Fabjan it is the second World Cup victory and as well the second win in Rybinsk while Katja Visnar managed today her first World Cup podium.

In the overall World Cup ranking Justyna Kowalczyk is now leading with 1576 points in total. Arianna Follis is currently second with 975 points and Marit Bjoergen (NOR) third with 922 points.

Petra Majdic from Slowenia, who was not competing today, maintained the lead in the overall sprint standing as she had collected already 354 points. Arianna Follis from Italy is second with 333 points and US-American Kikkan Randall occupies third place with 291 points.

Quotes

Vesna Fabjan (SLO)

It is just amazing. I won twice and both time here in Rybinsk. This place is something special for me. Today, it is a historical moment for us as we made a double victory for Slovenia. Already last year Katja and I were on the podium together but in the team sprint and this year we both made it to the podium in sprint. It is great. I like the course in Rybinsk and I have a good tactic for it, that is maybe the key of the success.

Katja Visnar (SLO)

It is a great day. I had very good ski’s and it was fun to race here in Rybinsk. I like this place. It is my first podium spot in a World Cup race in individual competitions. Rybinsk is a nice Cross-Country place and I had always good results here. The people are friendly, the crowd is cheering and the courses are good.

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

On the one hand I am satisfied with my third place as I am normally not so often on the podium in free technique sprints but on the other hand I felt I can more today. I was a bit blocked by the Italian tactic and was not able to pass them early enough. On the final straight I was fighting hard but the Slovenian ladies were better. Now I am going to Seiser Alm to prepare for the World Championships.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 5 February 2011