Favourites Kowalczyk and Joensson take sprint victories

World Cup: Canmore

Sun, Feb  7, 2010 - By FIS

Justyna Kowalczyk was always the number one: number one after the qualification, number one in each heat and also number one at the finish line in the final heat. She finished the 1,4 km course in Canmore clearly 7,6 seconds ahead of Ida Ingemarsdotter from Sweden. The local favourite Sarah Renner (CAN) took the third spot finishing just ahead of Katerina Smutna (AUT, 4th place). On fifth place finished Karianne Bjellaanes (NOR) while Oxana Jatskaja (KAZ) took the sixth spot. Petra Majdic (SLO), one of the favourites felt in the semi final and finished 11th.

The Polish athlete of the year, Justyna Kowalczyk is leading the overall World Cup with 1595 points, Petra Majdic is second with 1191 points and Aino Kaisa Saarinen is third (909 points).
In the sprint World Cup ranking, Petra Majdic is in the lead ahead of Justyna Kowalczyk and third is also Aino Kaisa Saarinen.

In the men's race, the dominator of the race was Emil Joensson who claimed victory on the 1,7 km long demanding course ahead of John Kristian Dahl (NOR). On third place finished like yesterday the two-times lucky looser Dario Cologna (SUI). Also in the final skied Bjoern Lind (SWE, 4th place), Nikolai Chebotko (KAZ, 5th place) and the young Teodor Peterson (SWE, 6th place).

In the World Cup ranking, Dario Cologna is coming closer to the second place. The ranking is still led by Petter Northug (NOR; 1060pts) ahead of Lukas Bauer ( 763pts) and Dario Cologna (735pts). In the sprint ranking, Emil Joensson is leading ahead of John Kristian Dahl and Ola Vigen Hattestad (both NOR).

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

It was just amazing the race but I have also to say that I feel sorry for Petra. It is always good to race and fight with her. I love Canmore and the courses here, they fit me very well. At the Olympics, I will try to race all races. I stay now a couple of days more here in Canmore before I move to Whistler.

Ida Ingemarsdotter (SWE)

I'm very happy with my first podium spot in the World Cup. It was a great race from me. The qualification was not optimal but then I felt better and better. Now I will go with my team to Mount Washington and just come for the sprint over to Whistler. Then, your team leaders will decide my further program.

Sarah Renner (CAN)

It was awesome to ski in front of the home crowd. I'm so happy with my podium spot especially because I did not so well in Sprint in this season. It seems that I come in the right moment in shape.

Emil Joensson (SWE)

I felt good all the day. I showed a good performance on this tough course here in Canmore. But for sure also my skies were perfect and I would like to say thank you to my staff. I will now go as well to Mount Washington and then to the sprint to Whistler.

John Kristian Dahl (NOR)

We were not many Norwegians here and I tried to keep the Norwegian colors up. Emil just started from km zero in a pace which I couldn't follow. I realized that so I was trying to defend the second spot. I'm now going home to Norway and I'm not sure what will my next races.

Dario Cologna (SUI)

I'm happy to be back on the podium also today after the third spot yesterday. Two times I went today in the next heat as the lucky looser and at the end I finished on the podium - I'm a lucky guy.