Drammen, the River City, is located 40 kilometers west of Oslo. Drammen has close to 62 000 inhabitants, but the city serves as a regional centre for an area with a population of about 150 000. Drammen is a city of diversity and 20 percent of the population have immigrant background, a fact which leaves its colourful mark on the cityscape.
Today on 11th March, the Viessmann FIS World Cup Cross-Country sprint race will be held in the Drammen city center for the 7th time. The 1'245 meter track, which encircles both the main square and the Bragernes church, has already proven to be much harder than originally expected.
About 7'000 cubic meters of artificial snow has been transported from the Konnerud ski arena. The track was built within two days and stands out as white and appealing as the athletes approach the starting line on Thursday afternoon at the main square.
The classical sprint competitions will surely be interesting. This event has always been dominated by the Norwegians in the men's race - all six competitions held in Drammen have been won by Norwegian athletes on the men's side. Can Emil Joensson, the current sprint World Cup leader, or somebody else beat them this year? And on the ladies' side, the question is whether Justyna Kowalczyk will increase her lead in the sprint World Cup or whether Aino Kaisa Saarinen is stronger? There are many questions - this afternoon we will have the answers.
As in the previous years, thousands of spectators are expected to attend the races, ready to create a euphoric atmosphere. Some will even stay overnight in a tent camp by the church to get a good view the next day.
However, not only the top athletes will have their competition in Drammen. The day before the sprint race, a Mini World Cup was held for children four years old and older. About 2'000 children had a chance to compete on the same track as their ski heroes.
Starting times:
Thursday, 11th March
Sprint C ladies/men Qualification 14.00h*Sprint C ladies/men Finals 15.45h*
Top three in March 2008
Sprint Classic ladies
1. Virpi Kuitunen (FIN)2. Petra Majdic (SLO)
3. Astrid Jacobsen (NOR)
Sprint Classic men
1. Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR)
2. Jens Arne Svartedal (NOR)
3. Emil Joensson (SWE)
*local time
