CROSS COUNTRY WORLD CUP. Marit Bjoergen from Norway claimed victory in the classical 10 km Individual start competition in Otepää and is now second in the ranking of the most World Cup win’s.

Norway's Marit Bjoergen celebrates her victory in the women's 10-kilometer cross country event of the World Cup in Otepaa, Estonia, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011. Three-time Olympic champion Marit Bjoergen of Norway held off Polish rival Justyna Kowalczyk to win a 10-kilometer World Cup event on Saturday. (AP Photo/ Timur Nisametdinov, NIPA)

She has overtaken today her country mate Bente Skari, hwo was present in Otepää as the Technical Delegate, with her win by having now 43 victories. Elena Vaelbe is leading that statistic with 45 wins on her account.

Bjoergen took the victory on the 2 x 5 km course in Otepää 32,0 seconds ahead of World Cup leader Justyna Kowalczyk (POL). On third position followed the Norwegian Therese Johaug, 41,6 seconds behind the winner whilst Aino Kaisa Saarinen just edged out of the podium by finishing fourth 45,3 seconds behind Bjoergen.

The Norwegian Olympic Champion started a bit slower then Justyna Kowalczyk on the first part of the race until km 2,5 but then she increase her speed and had already the best time after the first loop. Therese Johaug started with the third best time after km 2,5, then lost a bit in the middle part but cams strong back on the last 2,5 km where she had even the best sector time.

Justyna Kowalczyk is clear leading the World Cup with 1351 points. Marit Bjoergen is following on the seconds spot by having 896 points while Arianna Follis, who is competing this week at the National Championships in her hometown, is 16 points behind Bjoergen.

In the distance World Cup ranking Kowalczyk has a lead of 162 points ahead of Bjoergen and on third position there is Therese Johaug.

Weather: cloudy, -6° C
Snow Conditions: packed natural and artificial snow
Spectators: 6’000

Quotes

Marit Bjoergen (NOR)

I was little bit nervous today. I have not done long distance race since La Clusaz and I was not sure about my shape. The last lap was very good for me. I'm in a good shape and I am very happy to be on the podium. It was my 43rd World Cup win and I beat Bente Skari now, who is currently in Otepää and won in her career 42 World Cups.

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

I like Otepää very much and especially this course. It is good to be on the podium again. It was a really tough race today. I happy that I recovered well after demanding Tour de Ski. I knew how Marit is skiing but there are tough uphills on the course and I am not strongest there. I will be on the start of tomorrow's sprint. I will go to Rybinsk and after then I will have a high altitude training camp in Seiser Alm. Currently I am not so focused on the overall World Cup, I will count the points after Oslo and then turn my focus to it.

Therese Johaug (NOR)

It was a good race today. My shape is very good. The course here is very tough with many uphills. I had information about how Justyna is racing. It was a hard race and at the end Justyna was faster. I will go home tomorrow and will stay there till the Norwegian Championships that takes place next weekend. Then we plan to go for a high altitude training camp in Seiser Alm. After two weeks there I will compete in Drammen.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 22 January 2011

Eldar Roenning quickest in Otepää 15 km Classic

Norwegian Eldar Roenning is the winner of the 15 km classical race in Otepää.

The 28-year-old top skier finished on the 3 x 5 km course in a time of 37:27.2min, 15,1 seconds faster than the second Daniel Rickardsson from Sweden. Third spot took the Russian Maxim Vylegzhanin, who was 17,6 second slower than the winner.

Fastest start into the tight and exciting race on the challenging course in Otepää had Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR), who was leading the competition until after km 10. But then his team mate Eldar Roenning took over the lead for the last few kilometers. As well Daniel Rickardsson started a bit slower into the race with the eight best time after 5 km. Maxim Vylegzhanin was always among the top three and could hold his speed until the finish straight. Home favorite Andrus Veerpalu took the fifth spot with 24,6 seconds gap to Roenning.

For Roenning it was the 6th World Cup victory and the first podium in the season whilst Daniel Rickardsson finished for the third time this year among the top three in a World Cup race.

Dario Cologna, who is currently recovering from sickness, is leading the overall World Cup ranking with 1197 points. Petter Northug (NOR) , the eigth of today’s race is second with 738 points while Lukas Bauer (CZE) is third with 698 points.

In the distance World Cup, the top three haven’t changes since Tour de Ski. Cologna is in the lead ahead of Alexander Legkov (RUS) and Bauer.

Weather: cloudy, -6° C
Snow Conditions: packed natural and artificial snow
Spectators: 8’000

Quotes

Eldar Roenning (NOR)

I’m very happy with my victory. It was a very tough race. I had a great feeling since he morning. In Otepää you have to have excellent skis and I had them today. I felt fast today but Martin (Johnsurd Sundby) started before me and was pushing very hard. I did not know if Maxim started before or after me. I found out when I came to finish. It was a great feeling to win. I will start in tomorrow's qualification. I will see how it goes. I feel quite tired after today.

Daniel Rickardsson (SWE)

It was the tough race from the start till the end. I am happy I finished second. After Tour de Ski I got sick and spent first 5 days of the high altitude training in Livigno in bed. When I recovered I had a very good training camp. Otepää is a very nice place with nice tracks. The atmosphere alongside the course was excellent. It is always fin to compete here. Now I will go back home to Sweden. I will train and in two weeks we have the Swedish Championships. Then we go to Seiser Alm for the training camp.

Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS)

I am very satisfied with third place today. The course in Otepää is famous for its difficulty. Especially the part at the jumping hill is very tough. Before Oslo I will train a lot. After Rybinsk we will go for a training camp in Sjusjoen, Norway.

FIScrosscountry.com
Saturday 22 January 2011