Anna Olsson won in her last sprint competition just ahead of Justyna Kowalczyk. The third sport took the winner from Oslo, Marit Bjoergen (NOR). Ida Ingemardsotter (SWE, 4th place), Katerina Smutna (AUT, 5th place) and Hanna Brodin (SWE, 6th place) completed the final heat.
For Olsson, who will stop her career after this World Cup final, it was great to take the stage victory. She is now also leading the World Cup Final with 1:35.4min, just 6,7 seconds ahead of Justyna Kowalczyk.
In the overall World Cup ranking, Justyna Kowalczyk has now 1832 points, Petra Majdic is still second with 1191 points and Marit Bjoergen with 1024 points is third.
After the last sprint World Cup competition today also the sprint World Cup overall standings is complete. Justyna Kowalczyk won with 575 points. Marit Bjoergen is the runner up with 484 points while Petra Majdic is third with 446 points.
On the men's side, Nikita Kriukov claimed victory ahead of Petter Northug and local hero Emil Joensson. Also in the final skied Mats Larsson (SWE, 4th), Jesper Modin (SWE, 5th) and Marcus Hellner (SWE, 6th).
Kriukov will go as the leader of the World Cup final into the next competition on Friday, the King of Mörderbakken race.
In the overall World Cup, the race for the 2-6 th place is still underway. Currently Northug is leading with 1331 points, second Lukas Bauer 902 points and Marcus Hellner is third with 793 points.
The sprint World Cup winner is Emil Joensson with 506 points while Petter Northug is here the runner up with 352 points and Alexei Petukhov is third with 347 points.
The second stage of the World Cup Final will take place on upcoming Friday in Falun (Sweden).
Quotes:
Anna Olsson (SWE)
I am very happy for my victory, it was very tight. It is my last sprint of my career and it was great to have it here in Stockholm. Crowds were great and they were cheering which was helping me a lot.
Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
I have to say I am pleased with my second place. I have been sick and am not still feeling 100% healthy. I caught a cold. I want to be ready for Falun and I am looking forward to next races there.
Marit Bjoergen (NOR)
I have been quite tired after the last program. After races in Oslo I did not have so much power left to beat Justyna and Anna. It was great atmosphere in Stockholm with numerous crowds alongside the course
Nikita Kriukov (RUS)
It feels great to win in Stockholm. Two days ago I was at the President of Russia and congratulated me to my gold medal from classic sprint at the Olympics. I am very happy that I managed to win again. I liked the sprint course very much. We were close to spectators and they cheered on all athletes. Atmosphere was great.
Petter Northug jr. (NOR)
I am quite satisfied with my second place. I was the only in the field who did not use kick wax in the final heats. It was demanding and tough and in the last uphill Nikita was faster than me when attacked from the back. I am looking forward to races in Falun. It has been brilliant season for me and I am now relaxed and enjoy skiing.
Emil Joensson (SWE)
I am honoured to be on third place in Stockholm. Our king was present at the race and it was great feeling to have the opportunity to meet him. As many already said atmosphere here today was great. There was my fan club present as well. I am happy that we performed well, with Mats Larsson being fourth. All of us enjoy racing on home soil and we are looking forward to Falun.
Contributed by Sandra Spitz
