A dream has become true for Justyna Kowalczyk as she stormed to victory in the first ever FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Poland. Kowalczyk had an impressive second 5 km lap and built up the gap on Marit Bjoergen to +36.1 sec. Kowalczyk crossed the finish line in 28:43.9. Marit Bjoergen finished second and her compatriot Therese Johaug lost +50.4 sec on the winner and claimed third place.
Kowalczyk started slower and was second at 1.8 km mark and was losing on Bjoergen two seconds. However, in the second lap the Polish ace accelerated and did not give a chance to other contenders. Most of the athletes had a difficult choice to be made if to use no wax or wax skis. Justyna Kowalczyk went for her less favorite no wax pair and Marit Bjoergen used grip wax.
With today's impressive victory Justyna Kowalczyk is back in the yellow jersey for the Overall World Cup leader. Marit Bjoergen is second with 14 points margin. Therese Johaug is third with 1380 points.
Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
These two days were really emotional for me. The competition today was the most important race of the season. Condititions were difficult today and I had to chose no wax skis, which I do not like. There is only one long uphill and the downhill section, which was not that good but the conditions were not that fast. I slept only three hours today, I was not relaxed at all before the race. Many people of Poland love Cross-Country skiing. It has been amazing what organizers in Szklarska Poreba did and also the fans were great. I am proud of them.
Marit Bjoergen (NOR)
Justyna was very strong today. She had a very fast second lap. I have to be satisfied with my second place. Spectators were amazing today. They were shouting name also on the stadium everytime I passed. The course was very hard. Weather and snow conditions were not so easy. It was not easy to find the right skis. I lost again the yellow bib. It will the hard fight all the way till the end of the season. We will see who will have it after Falun.
Therese Johaug (NOR)
I am really satisfied with my race today. Kowalczyk was much better than me and also Marit. It was really good in Poland with many spectators around the track. I hope there will be also World Cup in Poland in the future. The atmosphere along the tracks was great. My biggest goal now is the 30 km on Holmenkollen.
