Kuusamo Classic Recap: First World Cup victory for Sundby
Fri, Dec 5, 2008 - By FIS
Martin Johnsrud Sundby from Norway won his first World Cup victory in the 15 km Individual start race in classical technique in Kuusamo/Ruka (FIN).
The 24-year-old Sundby claimed victory in an exciting race in a time of 37:52.5, just 3.5 seconds ahead of the overall World Cup winner from 2007/08, Lukas Bauer (CZE). The third spot took the local hero Sami Jauhojärvi from Finland.
Sundby was starting good and was able to speed up in the middle part of the race while Lukas Bauer had a real slow start with the 44th time at the first intermediate point.
For Martin Sundby it was not only the first World cup victory also the first podium place ever in his career in an individual race. Lukas Bauer, the winner of the last years 15 km in Ruka managed his 19th podium place while Sami Jauhojärvi made his second podium spot.
The new overall World Cup leader is as well Martin Johnsrud Sundby with 113 points ahead of Lukas Bauer with 109 points and Markus Hellner (SWE), who didn't took part this weekend in the World Cup races, with 100 points. In distance World Cup we have the same standing.
Quotes:
Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR):
"It was awesome today, I cannot believe it. To be honest I do not like the course here, there are so many steep uphills - but from now on I love it. Everything was perfect today, I had good skies and was able to show a great performance. Also the spectators and my team mates around the course pushed me a lot. Now I would just celebrate my victory - it is great!"
Lukas Bauer (CZE):
"Last year, my dream season started here in Kuusamo with the victory in the 15 km, and I'm now back to the podium here. I'm really satisfied! I started a bit slow, I heard that Roenning has the best time and I was just behind him and used the slipstream, maybe I wait too long to go ahead. But anyhow, I'm really, really satisfied!"
Sami Jauhojärvi (FIN):
"I planned to take the victory today. It doesn't work out, but still I'm happy about my podium place. I like podium place and hope that I'm now more often there. My main goal for this season is the World Championships."
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