CROSS COUNTRY SKI. Dario Cologna remains unbeatable as he takes second victory in Otepää. Cologna grabs victory over 15 km Classic. Lukas Bauer takes second place. Devon Kershaw goes for stunning third spot.

Devon Kershaw was today the man to beat as he had an impressive start in the 15 km Classic race. Kershaw was on fire and was leadining at all intermedaite points until 12.5 km mark. Yesterday's sprint winner Dario Cologna started slower and was 3 seconds off the pace at the halfway of the 15 km competition.

Lukas Bauer who came to Otepää on Friday evening and skipped yesterday's sprint said many times Otepää courses suit him very well and he proved he knows the business in Estonia. In spite of having put 12th time at 2.5 km checkpoint he was continuously increasing the pace. Canada's Kershaw was not able to keep the pace as high as in the first half of the competition and Dario Cologna took the lead with 5 km to go.

In the last lap Cologna extended his lead to 19 seconds and 2.5 km to go. Kershaw was still sitting in second place but Lukas Bauer was coming closer to the Canadian and was losing only 8 seconds. It was all about the fight for the second place between the Czech ace and Canadian sensation.

It was Lukas Bauer who prevailed at the end and edged out the Canadian to third place by only a second. Dario Cologna controlled the competition and in 40:12.4 and comfortable margin of +24 seconds came to the finish as the winner.

Dario Cologna SUI

It means a lot for me to win here twice in Otepää. My shape has been perfect. I was especially strong in the last lap. I had a good summer and preparation. First races were not perfect for me but since the Tour I have been in really good shape. It will be difficult to keep these good results. I got information about how Devon was fast. I was focusing on my pace and my own race. I will have a week off. I will be at home in Davos and I will train there. My next start will be in Rybinsk.

Lukas Bauer CZE

I must say I fell in love with Otepää tracks. It was very hard today. I was very surprised at the beginning when I heard Devon was so fast. I was just hoping he cannot keep the high pace all the way through. It was a tough between me and Devon. The key to success was a good kick and skis. I think the difference me and Devon was just I was more lucky today. After Tour de Ski I was totally exhausted. I will skip World Cup in Rybinsk. I will be training two weeks and take part in the Czech nationals. Then I will start at the World Cup in Nove Mesto

Devon Kershaw CAN

I felt super today. For sure I started little bit too hard,  but I was very motivated after I broke the pole in yesterday's qualifier. I am really happy to finish third today. I really love the course here and I personally think it is the hardest classical course on the World Cup. The strongest and fits guy wins, there is now hiding on this course, it  tests your shape. It feels really great to be on third after fourth place at Tour de Ski and Davos sprint. My personal goal is to be better in Falun because I have been every time so bad at World Cup final.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 22 January 2012

Justyna Kowalczyk does it again and wins in Otepää for the second time

Justyna Kowalczyk did it again and celebrates double victory in Otepää. The Polish sensation won the 10 km classic race in 29:44.8 and beat Marit Bjoergen by +22 sec. Therese Johaug takes the third place +40.5 off the pace.

It was Therese Johaug who was in command in the first kilometers of the competition and was in the lead at intermediate points. Kowalczyk started slower and put third best time at 2.5 km mark ten seconds off the pace. Marit Bjoergen was pushing hard in the first 5 km lap as well.

In the second part of the competition Kowalczyk took over the driving seat and had full controll over the race development. On the tough loop she was building the margin and with 2.5 km she had already a comfortable lead of 22 seconds.

Kowalczyk came unchallenged to the finish and could celebrate fifth victory in Otepää. Marit Bjoergen took second place and Therese Johaug finished third.

Justyna Kowalczyk POL

This is my victory number five. For the first time I won here in Otepää five years ago.  Otepää is really a special place for me. The distance course is very tough but in the summer I had here very good training camp. Perhaps the air is special here and it fits me very well. My tactics was not to start too fast. I wanted to get slower from the beginning.

Marit Bjoergen NOR

I'm satisfied with second place. I kept the good technique today but Justyna was in a little bit better shape than me. It's fair she has won. This winter Therese has been on the podium many times and me and Justyna too. We three have been in very good shape this year. I'm going to Norwegian championships where I will compete in two races. I will rest little bit afterwards  before I go to Rybinsk.

Therese Johaug NOR

I'm really happy with the race. My shape has been very good since the Tour de Ski. I was in the front at the beginning of the race but the second lap was tough. I gave it all and was fighting.  I was little bit tired in the second lap and Kowalczyk had more power.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 22 January 2012