World Cup Roller Ski season underway

Fri, Jul  31, 2009 - By FIS

Five competitions have already been held in the Roller Ski World Cup 2009. The three races in Orolavje, Croatia at the end of June were followed by two competitions in Markkleeberg (GER) in mid-July. On both weekends the athletes could race in excellent conditions in various competition formats from sprint, pursuit, uphill competitions to mass start races.

Currently the lead of the men's overall ranking is held by roller ski veteran Alfio Di Gregorio from Italy with 295 points, who includes two victories on his account. The runner up on the men's side is Ragnar Bragvin Andresen (NOR), only 36 points behind.

For the ladies, Mateja Bogatec from Italy is leading the overall ranking after five competitions, 35 points ahead of the newcomer Anna Lazareva (RUS). The growing interest in the Roller Ski World Cup is demonstrated by the Nations Cup ranking which is led by Italy with athletes from a total of 15 nations who have so far earned World Cup points.

The Roller Ski World Cup will continue from 6th - 9th August in Aure and Kristiansand in Norway where several high class events with TV coverage will also feature top Cross-Country stars like Virpi Kuitunen (FIN), Charlotte Kalla (SWE), Petter Northug (NOR), Sami Jauhojärvi (FIN) and Vincent Vittoz (FRA).

Already this weekend, an invitational event for Cross-Country skiers will take place in Norway: during the traditional BLINKfestivalen, free technique distance and sprint roller ski races will be carried out together with biathlon events in Sandnes (NOR). Numerous World Cup athletes from Scandinavia and Central Europe will compete there on 31st July - 1st August.