ROLLER SKI. The opening race of the FIS Rollerski World Championships in Aure/Kristiansund was under full control of home athletes. Marit Bjoergen and Petter Northug claimed gold medals in the opening race over 10 km Mass Start Classical technique.

Marit Bjoergen takes gold in Aure. Photo: www.blinkfestivalen.no

Superior Bjoergen

There were only 16 ladies at the start of the women’s competition. Marit Bjoergen took the initiative right from the start. Spectators along the course cheered on her favorite for another gold medal. Only Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla and Sandra Hansson and Bjoergen’s compatriot Heidi Weng could follow the queen of the World Championships in Oslo. Bjoergen was continuously increasing the pace and shook off all others. She crossed the finish line in 00:27:39.9 sec and became FIS Rollerski World Champion. Charlotte Kalla (SWE) claimed silver medal having lost on the winner 20 sec. Heidi Weng (NOR) rounded out the podium in 00:28:28.2

Invincible Northug

Norwegian distance squad returned from the joint training camp in Oberhof. Petter Northug jumped right into racing action and grabbed gold medal in 10 km Mass Start Classic in Aure. Start field stayed packed for almost 8 km of the competition. However, then the Norwegian ace sit down in the driving seat. He accelerated and nobody had enough power to follow the multiple World Champion. Northug climbed at full speed last 1800 m of the race and took another World Champion title. Northug finished the race in 00:25:32.2, 15 sec ahead of surprising silver medalist Ivan Marchenkov of Russia. Strong Sweden’s rollerskiing specialist Anders Svanebo claimed the bronze medal.

Norway dominates in junior class

Norwegian Juniors followed example of their older compatriots, grabbed two World Champion medals and the first set of gold medals stay in Norway. Barbro Kvalle became World Champion on the junior ladies’ side in 00:30:05.3 ahead of Maria Kozekaeva (RUS) and Evgenia Feshina (RUS).

Norwegien junior men scored double victory as Sondre Turvoll Fossli and Sinder Bjoernestad Skar grabbed gold and silver. Sergey Mikayelyan of Armenia celebrates bronze.

FIScrosscountry.com
Tuesday 9 August 2011

FIS Rollerski World Championships 2011 kicked off on Tuesday

For the first time FIS Rollerski World Championships come to Norway. Aure and Kristiansund will host World’s best rollerski specialists as well as some of top Cross-Country athletes.

In total 19 nations participate in the World Championships, which takes place parallel to traditional Toppidrettsveka. World Championships program is fully packed until Saturday. On Tuesday, August 9, 2011 the first competition takes place; 10 km uphill mass start classical technique. On Wednesday the rollerskiing specialists will fight on the 17 and 24 km mass start free. Toppdirettsveka’s participant will compete in 24 km classic competition.

Thursday is a rest day in the World Championships program but Cross-Country skiing athletes change for MTB and portion of 35 km in the surrounding area of Aure. In the Thursday afternoon Toppidrettsveke continues with a classical sprint. Friday’s program is full packed. Cross-Country athletes will fight over 3 km running competition, which is followed with a rollerski pursuit race over 18 km. Rollerskiing specialists have relay on schedule. Last titles will be handed over on Saturday in 200m sprint.

World’s best skiers on the start line

Some of World’s best Cross-Country skiing athletes are going show up in Aure and Kristiansund. Besides Petter Northug and Marit Bjoergen are leading the Norwegian squad, Charlotte Kalla has signed up for two distance races. Dario Cologna and Curdin Perl (both SUI) will be at the start line of Toppidrettsveka together with Jean Marc Gaillard (FRA), Anders Soedergren (SWE), Martin Koukal and Dusan Kozisek (both CZE). On the ladie’s side organizers expect World Champion Therese Johaug, Vibeke Skofterud (both NOR), Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) or Sandra Hansson (SWE).

FIS Rollerski World Championships 2011 Aure/Kristiansund

Tuesday 09.08.2011
17:00 Uphill 10 km, Classic Technique, Stemshaug-Brekka

Wednesday 10.08.2011
15:00 Aure-Mass-start 17/24 km, Free Technique, Aure/Vean-Brekka

Friday 12.08.2011
18:00-20:00 Team Relay 3,7 km, Free Technique, Kristiansund

Saturday 13.08.2011
12:00 Sprint F 200m, Free Technique, Kristiansund

Find more information about FIS Rollerski World Championships 2011 and Toppidrettsveka 2011 on http://www.toppidrettsveka.no and on official facebook page HERE www.facebook.com/pages/Toppidrettsveka-FIS-WC-Rollerski-2011/185115411501977

FIScrosscountry.com
Tuesday 9 August 2011