Majdic and Dahl shine in Davos
World Cup: Davos
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 - By FIS
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| Petra Majdic wins the cross country ski sprint at the World Cup in Davos (Photo: NOrdic Focus) |
Majdic took her first World Cup victory in this season on the 1,4 km long course clearly ahead of Marit Bjoergen (NOR). On the third place finished Aino Kaisa Saarinen from Finland while Vesna Fabjan (SLO) just edged out of the podium on fourth place. Marianna Longa from Italy took the fifth place and the winner from Düsseldorf, Hanna Falk finished sixth.
With the today's victory Petra Majdic is now the new leader of the overall World Cup ranking with 272 points. Just 9 points behind her is Aino Kaisa Saarinen while Marit Bjoergen is 10 points behind Majdic, who is now also leading the in the sprint World Cup ranking.
On the demanding 1,7 km course of the men was John Kristian Dahl the fastest in the Final heat. He took his first ever victory World Cup victory ahead of his team mate Petter Northug (NOR) and the dominator of the qualification Alexei Petukhov (RUS). Matias Standsvall from Finland finished on 4th place, Oystein Pettersen (NOR) was fifth and the French Cyril Miranda took the sixth position.
Petter Northug is back in the lead of the overall World Cup with 240 points. The winner of today's men's race, John Kristian Dahl is second (200) points and Alexei Petukhov is on the third place (160 points). Dahl is now also the new man in the red bib, which is the sign for the leader of the sprint World Cup.
Quotes:
Petra Majdic (SLO):
It is just amazing. To win is a good feeling;-) I'm so happy to be back on the top position of the podium after some not so perfect race. I felt strong today and as well the course fit's for me. It is demanding but good. It is also great to be in the yellow shirt - I didn't believe that I could be possible so early in the season. Now I'm looking forward to my home World Cup in Rogla!
Marit Bjoergen (NOR):
"I'm really, really happy. It was a good race for me but Petra was today definitivly the strongest."
Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN):
"This podium spot is great for me. I felt yesterday really not good but now I know that it was not my shape. I felt good from the qualification on but Petra and Marit were at the end faster then me."
John Kristian Dahl (NOR)
I'm very happy. This victory is my first World Cup victory and I feel amazing. It is a tough and long course for a sprint but it fit's me. Petuhkov and Petter were strong competitors but at the end I made it;-) I know that Alexei is very strong. We both are nearly "neighbours" - I'm coming from a place close to the Russian boarder and he is from the region of Murmansk - we know each other quite well."
Petter Northug (NOR)
Good to be back in yellow. I felt much better then yesterday and be happy to managed the podium.