Kikkan Randal takes 2nd in sprint

World Cup: Holmenkollen

Sun, Mar  14, 2010 - By FIS

After her amazing victory yesterday on the 30 km, Marit Bjoergen won also the sprint race in the free technique at Holmenkollen. The Norwegian queen from the 2010 Olympics finished ahead of Kikkan Randall from USA and Natalia Korosteleva (RUS). Despite looking not so fresh in the qualification and the heats, Bjoergen dominated the final. Overall World Cup winner Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) took the fourth spot, Hanna Falk (SWE) finished fifth and Silvana Bucher was six in her first ever World Cup Final.

Since yesterday, for Justyna Kowalczyk's second overall victory in the World Cup nothing is anymore in the way as she is leading untouchable with 1786 points. Petra Majdic is still second with 1191 points while Aino Kaisa Saarinen, who edged out in the qualification, keeps the third rank.

With today's fourth rank in the sprint, Justyna Kowalczyk secured also her first ever sprint World Cup victory. She is now leading the ranking 83 points ahead of Majdic. Bjoergen is third with being 88 points behind Kowalczyk. The last sprint will be carried out this season in Stockholm where due to the World Cup final only 50 points will be awarded for the victory.

In the men's race Anders Gloeersen took his first season victory in front of his home crowd at Holmenkollen ahead of the strong Russian sprinter Alexei Petukhov. The well-know distance skier Marcus Hellner took the third place and made with that his first ever World Cup podium in a sprint competition. Nikolay Morilov (RUS) finished fourth, Eirik Brandsdal (NOR) fifth and Jesper Modin (SWE) took the sixth rank.

Petter Northug, who was not competing today, won now definitively the overall World Cup as also his strongest contender Lukas Bauer was not at the start today.

Also the sprint World Cup was decided today. Emil Joensson from Sweden took with his seventh place the overall sprint World Cup victory. In the ranking he is now 142 points ahead of Alexei Petukhov. On third sport is currently Petter Northug.

Spectators: 25,000

Marit Bjoergen (NOR)
I felt quite tired after yesterday's 30 km. It is great I won also the sprint. Crowds here were just amazing and atmosphere was great. It is important for me that I gained success here. Next season will be very interesting. Championships here will be absolute highlight and I will have to plan my racing schedule. I will see if I will race Tour de Ski. But now I want to enjoy these incredible two days.

Kikkan Randall (USA)
It's been awesome to race here. I absolutely love courses here. Sprint course was tough but it was very fun to race here. My performance this season has been little bit under my expectations so I am glad I made podium today.

Natalia Korosteleva (RUS)
It was a difficult sprint today. Course a bit soft and I felt quite tired. Next year I will come back. I will do my best to sit here as a winner

Anders Gloeersen (NOR)
It was excellent race today. Everything went just well from the beginning. I won qualification and went through to victory. Crowds here were great and atmosphere and cheering on the course and stadium helped me a lot. It is honour that I won in Holmenkollen in front of my home crowd.

Alexei Petukhov (RUS)
It was a very tough race today. As Natalia already said it was little bit soft on some parts. Sprint course here is very difficult so I am happy I am on the podium today.

Marcus Hellner (SWE)
The sprint track here suits me very well. It is difficult and tough. I have always liked free technique and sprints are good training for mass start competitions. Nowadays it is very difficult to win mass start without sprinting skills. This season has been much beyond my expectations. To be on the podium in Holmenkollen is a great bonus to me.

Contributed by Sandra Spitz