Double victory for Norway

World Cup: Rogla

Sun, Dec  20, 2009 - By FIS

First Sprint Classic World Cup victory for Bjoergen after 5 years

Marit Bjoergen edged out rival Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland in a sprint finish to capture her second World Cup win of the season after topping the podium in Beitostoelen last month. Kowalcyzk finished second ahead of the home favourite Petra Majdic from Slowenia. Also in the final skied Anna Haag (SWE, 4th place), Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN, 5th place) and Lina Andersson (SWE, 6th place).

With her first victory in a classical sprint since December 2004, Bjoergen took also the lead in the overall World Cup ranking. She is leading now 30 points ahead of Majdic. On third place is Aino-Kaisa Saarinen.

Home race for Petra Majdic
In the sprint World Cup overall standing, Petra Majdic is still in the lead ahead of Marit Bjoergen and Justyna Kowalcyzk.

Meanwhile, Petter Northug, the runner-up in last season's overall World Cup, collected his second victory of the season on the demanding 1,5 km course ahead of Germany's Tobias Angerer and Sweden's Jesper Modin. The final completed Nikita Kriukov (RUS, 4th place), Dario Cologna (SUI, 5th place) and the winner of the qualification Andrew Newell (USA, 6th place).

Petter Northug defended the leader bib

Petter Northug remain in the yellow bib with a comfortable lead of 140 points ahead of his team mate John Kristian Dahl, who finished today on 31st rank. On third position is in the overall World Cup ranking Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR). In the sprint World Cup are at the moment the same guys in front but in the order first John Kristian Dahl, second Petter Northug and third Ola Vigen Hattestad.

Petter Northug (NOR)
"I am very happy with my victory today. The race was very tight from the start to the finish. Weather conditions were dificult too with snow arriving and wind. In general it was a great race and Rogla is a good World Cup venue."

Tobias Angerer (GER)
I am very happy about my podium today. It is not only important for me but for the whole team. We have to build up our self confidence . It was a tough race and I' m very happy that I made it on the podium.

Jesper Modin (SWE)
It is my first World Cup podium and I'm really satisfied. It was not easy conditions but I guess we delivered a great battle.

Marit Bjoergen (NOR)
I'm happy with my victory today. You know it was 5 years ago when I won the last time a classical Sprint. It was a tactical race today and I managed it well. The sprint course was one of the longest and very demanding. I'm happy to be in yellow before christmas as I will now go home after this weekend and prepare me for the season highlight - the Olympics. I will not compete in the Tour de Ski, my next World Cup race is in Otepää.

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
It is superb to be on the podium. It was a nice and tough race. Track was demanding not only because of the profile but also due to snow condititions. There was a strong wind on open fileds. The venue itself is great.

Petra Majdic (SLO)
I am excited about my place here in Rogla! Before the race I was hoping for top 10 and now I am on podium which is great. Sprint is always very tricky. You have to ski smart, tacticaly correct and of course fast which is simetime hard to combine. There were many fans supporting me and I did not want to disapoint them. The finals were very dificult for me. Right after the start I was at the last position and I had to laways catch up the rest of the field. I had to fight really hard until the last uphill.