Majdic and Northug win Lahti sprints

Sun, Mar  8, 2009 - By FIS

Petra Majdic claimed victory on the 1,3 km course in Lahti just ahead of the Italian Arianna Follis and Pirjo Muranen. For Majdic, who was sick during the World Championships in Liberec, it was her 6th World Cup this season. She also claimed the the lead in the overall World Cup ranking from Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, who didn't compete due to sickness. Majdic now leads 74 points ahead of Saarinen.

Meanwhile, Arianna Follis and Pirjo Muranen are continuing the fight for the second and third positions in the World Cup sprint ranking. Majdichas alread confirmed her second consecutive sprint title. Pirjo Muranen has now 421 points while Arianna Follis has 414 points.

In the men's race, the runner up in the overall World Cup, Petter Nothug (NOR) won the sprint over the 1,5 km course just ahead of teammate Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR). Nikolay Morilov (RUS) finished third. The current overall World Cup leader, Dario Cologna (SUI) didn't made it to the 30 best as he had a fall in his qualification race.

Northug, the three time gold medallist from Liberec 2009, took his second World Cup victory this season after winning the 30 km race in La Clusaz (FRA) in December.

In the overall World Cup Cologna is now leading 103 points over Northug. Ola Vigen Hattestad confirmed his second sprint World Cup title with his 2nd place finish today. He is now 325 points ahead of Tor Arne Hetland (NOR).