Relay victories for Finland and Norway

Thu, Dec  11, 2008 - By FIS

The season's second relay competitions in La Clusaz (FRA) were won by Team Finland on the ladies side and Team Norway on the men's side. 

The Finnish team, including Pirjo Muranen, Virpi Kuitunen, Riitta-Liisa Roponen and Aino Kaisa Saarinen, claimed victory under beautiful sunny skies clearly 33,4 seconds ahead of Team Sweden (Lina Andersson, Sara Lindborg, Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla). The third place went to Norway (Kristin Muerer Stemland, Therese Johaug, Betty-Ann Bjerkreim Nilsen and Kristin Steira), 34,5 seconds behind the winning team.

In the exciting men's race, Team Norway I won the competition thanks to a strong attack by Martin Johnsrud Sundby on the second leg and a strong finish by Petter Northug. The team, which was completed by Tor Arne Hetland and Tord Asle Gjerdalen, took victory 2,2 seconds ahead of Sweden with Daniel Rickardsson, Johan Olsson, Anders Soedergren and Marcus Hellner. The third spot was captured by local favorite France (Jean-Marc Gaillard, Vincent Vittoz, Maurice Manificat, Emmanuel Jonnier), 6,6 seconds behind Norway.

In the Nations Cup, Norway is leading with 1992 points ahead of Finland and Sweden.