CROSS COUNTRY SKI. Maxim Vylegzhanin led the Russian squad to success and claimed the home victory in 30 km skiathlon in Rybinsk. Vylegzhanin beat compatriot Ilia Chernousov in the finishing straight. Tobias Angerer repeated solid performance from yesterday and completed the podium in third place.

In the classical 15 km part of the competition Russian skiers were very active and were dictating the tempo. Dmitriy Japarov, Konstantin Glavatskikh or Alexander Bessmertnikh were very active. maxim Vylegzhanin was leading the field as they come to the stadium for the ski exchange.
At the halfway point the field stayed quite compact with fourteen skiers lined up in 10 seconds. In the free technique part Italy's Roland Clara was taking care of the pace and was active in front. Dimitriy Japarov took the lead and Roland Clara was following. The leading duo created a gap of 20 meters but they were caught again in the second last lap.

In the last 2.5 km loop youngster Peter Sedov went in front and upped the temp. There were five Russians in the leading group as Chernousov made a move in the last uphill before the downhill section leading to the stadium. Maxim Vylegzhanin reacted to Chernousov's attack and the two Russians broke away from the rest of the field.
Together they came in the stadium, Chernousov leading, Vylegzhanin following. In the second last corner Vylegzhanin went around the skiathlon winner from last year and shook him off. Unchallenged Vylegzhanin came to the finish in 1:20:37.6 and a comfortable margin on Chernousov of +6.0 seconds.

Tobias Angerer did not have the ideal position in the descent sitting in the sixth position. However, in the stadium Angerer had enough power for the final fight with Russia's Eugeniy Dementiev and beat him in the photo finish.

After the Russian mission Dario Cologna is still holding the Overall World Cup lead with 1474. Petter Northug is second with 1181 points. Devon Kershaw moved to third place in the overall standing having collected 881 points so far.

Results
1. Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS)    1:20.37
2. Ilia Chernousvo (RUS)         + 6,0 sec
3. Tobias Angerer (GER)        + 8,3 sec

Standing
1. Dario Cologna (SUI)        1474 pts
2. Petter Northug (NOR)        1181 pts
3. Devon Kershaw (CAN)        881 pts

Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS
This victory was very important for me because I couldn’t get to the podium in Rybinsk before. Something was always wrong either with skis or my shape. This time everything worked perfectly.

Ilia Chernousov RUS
I’m very glad for my second podium in two days. I’m not that strong in classics so I tried not to let leaders go too far. I was really exhausted in the last three laps and tried to relax and use the same tactics as yesterday in the last uphill. I hope I can conserve this shape and be strong as well in Nove Mesto. It was a great weekend here in Rybinsk and the World Cup is very important for Russia.

Tobias Angerer GER
I’m happy to be on the podium again. Rybinsk becomes a very special place for me, I do not really know what is exactly special - maybe the air (with a smile). I always feel well here. Today the conditions were not difficult, it was not so cold but a bit more windy, but all in all everything was fine. I tried to push hard and worked in front together with Roland Clara in the free technique part but at the end the Russian's were too strong today. I look forward to the rest of World Cup races, I want to race as much as possible of them and hope to show good results.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 5 February 2012

Superior Therese Johaug wins skiathlon in Rybinsk

Therese Johaug was unbeatable in today's 15 km skiathlon and took second World Cup victory in her career. Johaug won the race in 42:41.4 and left runner up Justyna Kowalczyk behind with a great margin of +26.9 sec. Marit Bjoergen did not find the winning momentum today and claimed third place +52.9 sec off the pace.

Right from the beginning of the competition it was clear that only three skiers would be involved in the podium fight. Justyna Kowalczyk, Therese Johaug and Marit Bjoergen were active and were working hard in front. The leading trio broke away already at the first intermediate point.  In the classical part Marit Bjoergen could not keep the high pace set by Therese Johaug and Justyna Kowalczyk and was losing ground.

After the ski exchange Bjoergen was already +9.7 sec off the pace. Kowalczyk and Johaug were working together but in the second last lap Therese Johaug shook off the defending Overall World Cup winner. Johaug was increasing the margin and came with a comfortable lead in the stadium and to the finish. Charlotte Kalla and Vibeke Skofterud were trying hard to close up the gap on Marit Bjoergen but the Queen of the World Championships in Oslo had the race under control and finished in the third place.

Charlotte Kalla had more power left in the last kilometers and left Vibeke Skofterud behind as she went for fourth position.

Justyna Kowalczyk regained Overall World Cup lead by two points over Marit Bjoergen. Kowalczyk has won 1682 points whereas Bjoergen has 1680. Therese Johaug is currently third with 1240 points.

Therese Johaug NOR
I’m happy to be the first today in such a company. It is my first time in Russia and I like the place. I’m in a very good shape at the moment so I felt enough strength to attack. With such rivals as Marit and Justina you have to work hard and go forward.

Justyna Kowalczyk POL
I’m glad for my second place. I have a yellow bip back but we still have to fight hard in remaining races. I felt quite comfortable today, the skis were fine, but Therese ws faster this time. I’m looking forward to races in Nova Mesto.

Marit Bjoergen NOR
I’m satisifed with my third place. My skis were well-prepared today but the girls were stronger in classic part, they made a big gap and I had to work alone in the second part of the race. It was hard. I lost yellow bip and now I’ll have to take part in all the races left to be able to fight for it.

FIScrosscountry.com
Sunday 5 February 2012