Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla are among medal hopes in today's 15 km Pursuit and could make bigger the medal count for team Sweden.
Last year the Olympic silver in the pursuit went to Sweden thanks to Anna Haag. At the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf Sweden celebrated double victory in the Pursuit having Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla on the podium. Today Sweden looks with hope towards the 15 km pursuit at the World Championships in Holmenkollen.
15 km Pursuit is Anna Haag’s favorite distance. The two Swedish girls have the chance again. A lot depends on the daily shape and how the race develops.
Only a few doubt that Marit Bjørgen will win again. According the Norwegian media the Cross-Country skiing Queen is going to take part in every distance at the World Championships and have already started counting six World Championships gold medals after the sprint gold medal on Thursday.
Justyna Kowalczyk and Aino-Kaisa Saarinen were closest to Bjoergen in the 10 km classical style in Drammen last Saturday. They are hot medal favorites too, like Italian Marianna Longa and Arianna Follis. Norwegian ladies Therese Johaug and Kristin Størmer Steira will also get a huge support from the home crowds in the sold out Holmenkollen. Petra Majdic sits out today’s pursuit and concentrates on 10 km Classic on Monday.
Finnish ladies aim high in today’s race with Aino Kaisa Saarinen, who will make the World Champs debut today. U23 World Champion Krista Lähteenmäki is on the start and her compatriot Riitta-Liisa Roponen was very strong at the Finnish championships.
The race is carried out on a 2.5 km and a 5-kilometer loop in the classical style, then do 2x3,75 km free technique.
Contributed by Kjell Erik Kristansen, langd.se
