Norway's Marit Bjoergen secured victory in the classical sprint in Lahti.
Norway's Marit Bjoergen secured victory in the classical sprint in Lahti. Queen of the World Championships in Oslo is back on winning track and captured classical sprint victory. Bjoergen edged out qualificiation winner Astrid Jacobsen (NOR) who took the second place. Petra Majdic of Slovenia attacked in the home stretch, passed Justyna Kowalczyk and sprinted to third place.
Marit Bjoergen achieved now 45 World Cup victories in her career, the same amount as Elena Vaelbe (RUS) who leads the statistic with the most World Cup wins on ladies competitions.
In the overall sprint ranking, Petra Majdic (SLO) is now the new leader 7 points ahead of Arianna Follis who finished 6th today. Kikkan Randall (USA) is third 29 points behind Majdic.
In the overall World Cup ranking the order stays the same: Justyna Kowalczyk will take the trophy while currently on second place is ranked Marit Bjoergen and third Arianna Follis.
Quotes
Marit Bjoergen (NOR)
It has been a very good day for me much better than yesterday. It was a nice race we had all the best sprinters in the final. I felt very good during the entire day and I had good legs. My tactic was not to go too fast on the climbs to have some energy as well for the downhill. I had there very good ski’s and I was actually a bit surprised that nobody was infront of me. For next season my goal will be the overall World Cup and the Tour de Ski.
Astrid Jacobsen (NOR)
It’s the best result since 2008 and I am very pleased with the race. I felt yesterday that my classic was very good. That’s the most important that i know i ski really well technically. I felt as well during the World Championships that my shape improved a lot. Normally I was always tired at the end of the season but this year I have still a lot of power. My goal is it now to keep focus in the end of the season and if i can keep my mood up I hope for other good races in the World Cup final.
Petra Majdic (SLO)
It is great to be on the podium. I am back in the red jersey again. It is still open in the overall World Cup sprint ranking but I will give my best in Stockholm. It was not the best day today, I nearly fell in the qualification and I had problems all the way through the heats. I couldn’t wake up and I was not focused enough. Tomorrow I will go to Stockholm, I am glad that the season is soon over as I am exhausted and really tired.
