Thirty thousand spectators witnessed Marit Bjoergen win in the qualifying session for the Sprint Free in Oslo. Full stadium cheered on 87 ladies and 122 men at the start and along the course.
Marit Bjoergen has taken the pressure and was quickest in the qualification with 3:03.89 min and edged out Charlotte Kalla of Sweden by +1.50 sec. Bjoergen’s compatriot Maiken Caspersen Falla finished third +1.75 sec. Astrid Jacobsen rounded of the Norwegian success in the qualification with fourth place. Kikkan Randall of USA claimed 9th place in the qualification and lost on Bjoergen +5.86 sec. Defending sprint champion from Liberec 2009 Arianna Follis of Italy is through in the quarterfinal from 11th place. Justyna Kowalczyk qualified with 13th best time. Hanna Brodin of Sweden qualified as the last athlete.
Jesper Modin won the men’s qualification in 2:57.17 min. Anders Gloeersen led the Norwegian sprint team on second. Swiss Martin Jaeger claimed third place in the qualification. Defending World Champion Ola Vigen Hattestad is through from 7th place. Petter Northug is qualified with 10th best time. Big Sweden’s medal hope Emil Joensson started slowly but is through with 12th time. Oystein Pettersen of Norway was not in shape today and failed to qualify. Pettersen lost more than 9 seconds and finished 41st. Renato Pasini qualified as the last one
