Norway women takes victory in first relay of the season

World Cup: Gällivare

Sun, Nov  21, 2010 - By FIS

The Norway I relay team with Vibeke W. Skofterud, Therese Johaug, Kristin Stoermer Steira and Marit Bjoergen won the relay of 4 x 5 km in Gällivare, Finland today.

Norwegian ladies won in the time of 50:16 min clearly 26.8 seconds ahead of Sweden I (Britta Johansson Norgren, Anna Haag, Maria Rydqvist and Charlotte Kalla). Team Italy I (Magda Genuin, Marianna Longa, Silvia Rupil, Arianna Follis) took the third spot, 56,2 seconds behind the winning team and just edged out team Germany in the sprint.

Justyna Kowlaczyk brought the Polish team in the lead at the first leg but later on the Norwegian dominated clearly the race, especially Therese Johaug and again Marit Bjoergen showed a great performance and were the fastest in their legs while the Arianna Follis from Italy and Nicole Fessel from Germany were fighting for the last podium spot.

During the first three legs, also the Norwegian team II seemed to be quite strong and were situated on the second place but then in the final leg, the other teams were stronger.

Quotes

Vibeke Skofterud (NOR)

We are very satisfied with our race. We wanted to win and we did it. I am myself happy about my performance. I was racing the first leg, Justyna was faster but I had good control on the other teams. I was for me a good World Cup kick off weekend.”

Britta Johansson Norgren (SWE)

We did a great team effort today. Norway is incredibly strong. I think we should be very happy with our second place and that we are fighting in the top. We hope that it will be a tough match against Norway in the World Championships.

Arianna Follis (ITA)

It’s a good race, we was in top three. It was me against the German team, we tried hard in the last sprint and won. It’s great for Italian team, we are a young team so we are very happy.