CROSS COUNTRY SKI. Marit Bjoergen writes history in Rybinsk as she claims 50th World Cup win in her career. Bjoergen dominated the 10 km free mass start. Runner up Charlotte Kalla lost on the winner +4.1 sec. Marthe Kristoffersen was fighting hard with Therese Johaug to the finish line and sent her to the fourth place by a tip of her ski boot.

Justyna Kowalczyk was in command for the first half of the race and won the only intermediate bonus point sprint in the third lap. Nine athletes broke away from the field. Before the last lap Charlotte Kalla and Marit Bjoergen opened up a gap, which proved to be decisive.

Kalla and Bjoergen went together to the last lap with a comfortable margin on chasing Therese Johaug and Marthe Kristoffersen. Bjoergen was following the Olympic champion from Sweden all the way to the stadium and was looking comfortable and strong.

In the last curve before the finishing straight Marit Bjoergen took the lead in Petter Northug's style and quickly went ahead of Charlotte Kalla who could not follow. Marit Bjoergen went comfortable to the finish and claimed 50th World Cup win in her career. Justyna Kowalczyk finished 7th +38.9 seconds off the pace.

With her victory Marit Bjoergen took away the current Overall World Cup lead from Justyna Kowalczyk who had for a few days after the sprint in Moscow.

Marit Bjoergen NOR

I’m happy to get back the yellow bip. I was in a good shape today and my skis were also very good. Me and Charlotte made a gap and I knew she wag a good sprinter so I had to keep in pace with her. Spectators here are amazing. You feel their support and it’s very important. I’m looking forward for tomorrow’s race because I feel myself really well at the moment. After the Norwegian Championships I stayed three days at home on the sofa to recover and I am happy that I am now back in shape.

Charlotte Kalla SWE

I’m glad for my second place. I decided I would go relaxed during the whole race but for the last lap. In the last lap I worked hard not only in the last uphill. I felt I was strong enough and we made a gap. I liked the audience here and the place itself is very nice.

Marthe Kristoffersen NOR

I’m happy about my podium. It’s my first time in Russia and I like the place very much. The course is good. But it was very cold today so my hands and feets were a bit numb and it wasn’t comfortable of course. But I did my best.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 4 February 2012

Devon Kershaw powers to sensational victory in 15 km free in Rybinsk

Devon Kershaw scores a sensational victory in 15 km free in Rybinsk. Kershaw made a decisive move on the finishing straight as he overtook leading Ilia Chernousov and edged him out to second place. Tobias Angerer claimed third place.

The field stayed compact in today's 15 km Free. Temperature fell to -17°C and the skiers were keeping an easier pace in six 2.5 km laps. Two intermediate bonus points sprints upped the tempo in the third and sixth lap. Russian athletes with Sergey Turyshev, Dimitriy Yaparov were very active in front as well as Jens Filbrich of Germany, Roland Clara (ITA) or Frenchman Robin Duvillard.

In the last 2.5 km lap Germany's Tobias Angerer speeded up and took over the lead. Only five contenders could keep the pace high and followed Angerer. Ilia Chernousov made a move in the last uphill before the descent to the stadium and Alexander Legkov followed. Devon Kershaw and Tobias Angerer were following but it was the Canadian who was stronger in the finishing straight and went around Chernousov to score his first distance World Cup victory.

Ilia Chernousov celebrates today the first podium this season as well as Tobias Angerer who beat Alexander Legkov in the home straight.

All top three athletes of the current Overall World Cup Standing Dario Cologna, Petter Northug and Marcus Hellner skipped Rybinsk.

Devon Kershaw CAN

I’m happy, it’s my first World Cup victory in distance races. I felt very comfortable today, the skis were good and I liked a new course because I am strong now in finish sprint. I did not concentrate at intermediate finishes but still managed to get some points. It is very good we have a strong team – it helps a lot. My today’s win is the win of the whole Canada team

Ilia Chernousov RUS

I’m very glad to be the prize-winner. This is my first podium in this year. The new course was not that good for me as I’m not so good at finish so the only tactic was to work hard in the last uphill and then come what may. I won skiathlon here last year so I’m looking forward for tomorrow’s race.

Tobias Angerer GER

I’m happy to be back here, I like Rybinsk and always race well here. This is my fourth podium out of five races which took place in Demino. I looked for the podium today and did my best. First our team planned not to come here because of the cold weather but then the coaches changed their mind because the athletes wanted to race here and it proved a right decision.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 4 February 2012