TOUR DE SKI. Eldar Roenning (NOR) could celebrate his very first stage win of this Tour de Ski, finishing in front of  Alex Harvey and Dario Cologna (photo finish).
 
Roenning who was up front throughout the entire race, showed that he was not only skiing to help his team-mate Petter Northug, but also to show what he’s good for. Finishing fourth at the 5 km classic race in Toblach, Roenning has shown that he is in great shape now, and was obviously disappointed by just missing out on the podium. In Val di Fiemme however, surrounded by thousands of excited spectators, blue sky and perfect snow conditions; he could finally cheer for a win in Tour de Ski.
 
With the new course in Val di Fiemme, which also will be used for the Championships next year, the athletes had no time for rest today. With challenging up and downhills, the pace was really fast, and after a few kilometres, there was a group of approximate 20 athletes who were in front. Top 10 at each intermediate point could win bonus seconds in every lap. Northug had said he wouldn’t fight for bonus seconds in the first round, which made it easier for the others. Emil Joensson took the first 15 bonus points, followed by Alexander Legkov (12) and Cologna (10). For full list of results and bonus points taken, please click here: http://www.fis-ski.com/pdf/2012/CC/2568/2012CC2568RL.pdf
 
Skiing as a gathered pack for pretty much the entire race, some key athletes fell off one by one. Alexander Legkov had to leave the group after approximate 15 km, and Maurice Manificat had problems the last two laps, and had to let go as well. Northug’s helpers, Niklas Dyrhaug and Eldar Roenning, both did an extraordinary strong race, and helped Northug catch as many bonus points as possible (he won a total of 55 bonus points).
 
In the last uphill in the last lap, Eldar Roenning got a small gap to the rest of the group and shot up the last hill. Coming into the stadium with thrilled spectators, the 29 year-old Norwegian crossed the finish line first, and climbed up on the overall Tour ranking to 20th place.
 
Dario Cologna who did yet another strong race remains the overall Tour leader and Sprint Leader. His gap down to the others is now 1:22 to Petter Northug and 2:06.5 to Marcus Hellner.

Kristian Tetti Rennemo (NOR), Johannes Duerr (AUT), Eeri Vahtra (EST) and Cyril Miranda (FRA) did not finish the race.
 
The men will have their last stage of Tour de Ski tomorrow, with the final climb up Alpe Cermis.

Justyna Kowalczyk wins and takes back the overall Tour de Ski lead

Justyna Kowalczyk showed no signs of weakness in today’s 10 km classic race. Shooting up the steep uphills and flying down the hills like she was a pro skier, no one could keep up with her speed. At the last kilometres she got a gap down to Bjoergen and managed to keep it the whole way to the finish line. Bjoergen finished second followed by Kalla and Saarinen. Justyna is now the overall leader of Tour de Ski and will start 11.5 k's 11.5 seconds ahead of Bjoergen tomorrow.
 
Just like the men’s race, the speed in the women’s was really fast. Even though the course had been changed from last year, with steeper hills and more technical difficult course, it was a greater way to show who’s in a great shape and who’s not. With two rounds of 4.5 km and a small loop in the end, the women fought for bonus seconds’ in both rounds at the highest top of the course. Kowalczyk who knew she had to take bonus points to take back the overall lead, managed to come in front of Bjoergen on both intermediate bonus points as well as on the finish line and earned a total of 45 seconds. Bjoergen came in second at all three of them and took 34 seconds.
 
The entire start field was gathered for almost the entire first round, before a group of 9 with Kowalczyk and Bjoergen in front increased the speed and showed who the Queens of Cross-Country skiing are. One of the favourites from todays’ race, Therese Johaug, seemed surprisingly tired throughout the race and was not able to compete with the best ones after 4.5 km. Charlotte Kalla and Aino-Kaisa Saarinen managed to stay on top for a long while instead, but were never any threat to Kowalczyk and Bjoergen.
 
At the last part of the last round, it was all about Bjoergen and Kowalczyk, and Kowalczyk simply refused to give up. Coming into the finish line 7.5 seconds ahead of Bjoergen, she showed that she’s back, and will not give up the fight for the Overall Victory before tomorrow.
 
Ladies will compete in 9 km free technique tomorrow, with the famous final climb up Alpe Cermis.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 7 January 2012