Marit Bjoergen gets 43rd victory in Otepää

World Cup: Otepää

Sat, Jan  22, 2011 - By FIS

Marit Bjoergen from Norway claimed victory in the classical 10 km Individual start competition in Otepää and is now second in the ranking of the most World Cup win’s.

She has overtaken today her country mate Bente Skari, hwo was present in Otepää as the Technical Delegate, with her win by having now 43 victories. Elena Vaelbe is leading that statistic with 45 wins on her account.

Bjoergen took the victory on the 2 x 5 km course in Otepää 32,0 seconds ahead of World Cup leader Justyna Kowalczyk (POL). On third position followed the Norwegian Therese Johaug, 41,6 seconds behind the winner whilst Aino Kaisa Saarinen just edged out of the podium by finishing fourth 45,3 seconds behind Bjoergen.

The Norwegian Olympic Champion started a bit slower then Justyna Kowalczyk on the first part of the race until km 2,5 but then she increase her speed and had already the best time after the first loop. Therese Johaug started with the third best time after km 2,5, then lost a bit in the middle part but cams strong back on the last 2,5 km where she had even the best sector time.

Justyna Kowalczyk is clear leading the World Cup with 1351 points. Marit Bjoergen is following on the seconds spot by having 896 points while Arianna Follis, who is competing this week at the National Championships in her hometown, is 16 points behind Bjoergen.

In the distance World Cup ranking Kowalczyk has a lead of 162 points ahead of Bjoergen and on third position there is Therese Johaug.

Weather: cloudy, -6° C
Snow Conditions: packed natural and artificial snow
Spectators: 6’000

Quotes

Marit Bjoergen (NOR)

I was little bit nervous today. I have not done long distance race since La Clusaz and I was not sure about my shape. The last lap was very good for me. I'm in a good shape and I am very happy to be on the podium. It was my 43rd World Cup win and I beat Bente Skari now, who is currently in Otepää and won in her career 42 World Cups.

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)

I like Otepää very much and especially this course. It is good to be on the podium again. It was a really tough race today. I happy that I recovered well after demanding Tour de Ski. I knew how Marit is skiing but there are tough uphills on the course and I am not strongest there. I will be on the start of tomorrow's sprint. I will go to Rybinsk and after then I will have a high altitude training camp in Seiser Alm. Currently I am not so focused on the overall World Cup, I will count the points after Oslo and then turn my focus to it.

Therese Johaug (NOR)

It was a good race today. My shape is very good. The course here is very tough with many uphills. I had information about how Justyna is racing. It was a hard race and at the end Justyna was faster. I will go home tomorrow and will stay there till the Norwegian Championships that takes place next weekend. Then we plan to go for a high altitude training camp in Seiser Alm. After two weeks there I will compete in Drammen.