Gold times two for Finland, once for Sweden
FIS Junior World Ski Championships
Thu, Mar 15, 2007 - By FIS
Wednesday was a Nordic day in Tarvisio: while Finland took gold in both the men's 10km race in the free technique and in the Nordic Combined Gundersen event, Sweden claimed gold in the ladies' 5km race. Martti Jylhae, the bronze medalist in the sprint two days ago, won the race 16.4 seconds ahead of Alexej Poltarinen (KAZ) and 30.5 seconds ahead of Alex Harvey of Canada.
Charlie Smith was the top US male finisher, in 53rd place.
In the ladies' competition, Charlotte Kalla (SWE), sprint silver medalist, took revenge of the sprint World Champion Astrid Jacobsen (NOR) by capturing the title while Jacobsen took 3rd. Jacobsen's teammates Marthe Kristoffersen and Therese Johaug - bronze medalist in the 30km race in Sapporo - took the ranks 2 and 4 ahead of another two Scandinavian racers.
Elizabeth Stephen was the top American women, finishing 7th overall in the 5K.
In the Nordic Combined Gundersen event, Anssi Koivuranta, the bronze medalist in the same event in Sapporo, claimed the top spot. He commented: "Of course, the World Championships in Sapporo and my medals there were the highlight of the season, but this victory - being my first individual gold medal in any Championships - crowns this great season." Koivuranta took the honors ahead of two Austrians, Marco Pichlmayer and Alfred Rainer.
Results: