Lukkanen and Bach are U23 Sprint World Champions

Wed, Jan  27, 2010 - By FIS and US Ski Team

On the 1.3 km course on Notschrei, the biathlete Mari Laukkanen (FIN) took the victory head of the home favourite Denis Herrmann (GER). The third spot took Kathrine Rolsted Harsem from Norway. "It was a great victory for me. I had a good feeling all the way and I'm happy to made it. I came directly from the Biathlon World Cup in Antholz to test my shape also in Cross-Country skiing," said the winner.

On the demanding course, Ole Marius Bach (NOR) claimed victory in the men's race. He finished in a tight final just ahead of the Swiss Martin Jäger. Andrey Parfenov, who came directly from the World Cup in Rybinsk, took the third place.

" I was the strongest on the last 300m. I came from the third position in the last curve into the lead on the finish straight due to my strong finish. I'm very happy, it is my first U23 World Champion title and like it very much," explained Ole Marius Bach.

Erik Bjornsen (Mazama, WA/Methow Olympic Development Project) led the USA finishing 23rd in the freestyle sprint. Sophie Caldwell (Peru, VT/Dartmouth Ski Team) was the to American woman in 24th.

The entire results are available on the fis-ski.com website.