Marit Bjoergen is in great shape
The Cross-Country queen from the 2010 Olympics, Marit Bjoergen from Norway pulled away from rival Justyna Kowalczyk to win the Cross-Country World Cup Pursuit race in Lahti.The Norwegian sprinted away from the field to finish in 40 minutes 10.8 seconds with Poland's World Cup leader Kowalczyk 11.1 seconds behind. Meanwhile, Norway's Therese Johaug was another 6.7 seconds back in third for her first individual podium finish of the season.
For Bjoegen was this victory over 7,5 km + 7,5 km the third World Cup win in this season and the 33rd in her career.
In the overall World Cup, Justyna Kowalczyk is dominantly in the lead with 1696 points by winning today in total 100 World Cup points (80 points for second place and then 20 points from the intermediate sprints). On second place follows Petra Majdic, who is still injured with 1191 points while Aino Kaisa Saarinen 910 points.
The distance World Cup trophy belongs already to Justyna Kowalczyk as she is there leading untouchable with a lead of 427 points ahead of Marit Bjoergen and from now on only max. 245 distance World Cup points will be awarded.
Quotes:
Marit Bjoergen (NOR)
It was a great race. Therese and I were working together and at the end I was able to make the gap to Justyna. I have a great shape and hope that I will be able to show that as well tomorrow and on my home races next week. My next big goal is the World Champs in Oslo and then I will see...maybe I continue until Sotchi, maybe not - I can't say it yet.Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
It was a great race for me today. With my second place I am sure that I secured overall World Cup victory. Nevertheless I still have goals this season. I have been skiing full throttle all comeptitions and I will do that in remaininng races. This season everything worked out perfectly. My training in summer was very good and hard. It was painfull too but it payed back. Also my team has been very good and supported me perfectly. I am still motivated to race. Next year there ar World Champs in Oslo and that will be my biggest goal.Therese Johaug (NOR)
I am very happy about my race today. It is first time on the podium at a World Cup this year and it is great. I have been in a good shape after Olympics. I will be tomorrow in the relay team and I want to perform well too. I am not coming tp Drammen but wil be for sure in Oslo. I am looking forward to racing there. I hope I will be on the podium again.
Contributed by Sandra Spitz
