The sprint battle continues between Sweden's Stina Nilsson and Norway's Maiken Caspersen Falla. This time it went to Nilsson by just 0.08 seconds. She now leads the Overall World Cup sprint standings by just 15 points ahead of Falla. On the men's side Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo just keeps on winning recording his 6th straight victory this season. With his win today he has tied his countrymen Petter Northug Jr and Martin Johnsrud Sundby as the only men to win 6 World Cups in one season before the new year. He will sit out tomorrow's 15 km interval start competition in the free technique leaving the door open for a new winner this season. He will still have 5 races left before the end of the year to set the record for the most wins during this period.
Joining Nilsson and Falla on the podium today was the USA's Kikkan Randall. This was Randall's first World Cup podium (not including last season's World Championships sprint bronze) since having her first child in April 2016. Her last World Cup podium came in Lahti 2015. Randall continues the strong start for the US women's team with one member on a podium in each World Cup weekend so far this season. Sadie Bjornsen had classic sprint podiums in both Ruka and Lillehammer. There were 3 US ladies in today's final.
On the men's side Italy's Federico Pellegrino was the only one who kept it a little bit close to Klaebo in the final, finishing in second place +1.8 seconds back. In third place for the second weekend in a row was Russia's Alexander Bolshunov +4.64. Those three make up the top 3 in the Overall Sprint standings with Bolshunov ahead of Pellegrino after 3 sprint competitions this season. It was an impressive spread of nations represented in the men's final with Norway, Italy, Finland, France and two from Russia.
ATHLETE QUOTES
Stina Nilsson (SWE)
I did not have the good feeling in Lillehammer. It’s great I could return to my kind of skiing again. In the final I almost fell in the last curve. I knew from the morning I was quite strong. I hoped I could win today.
Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR)
I gave everything I had and I went for victory. It was a tough day but I did not have more to give. But I am happy and being number 2 on the course I like the least is OK.
Kikkan Randall (USA)
I knew my fitness was there. I’ve had strong performances in free technique this season. With the good qualification today I knew the final was possible. It’s great to be on the World Cup podium again, it has been a while.
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR)
I felt strong in the final and fortunately I got the gap I needed. The prologue was tough and I felt a lot of lactic acid. But it’s fun that it went well in this altitude.
Federico Pellegrino (ITA)
It’s always good to be on the podium. Johannes is in a great shape this year and it is very hard to beat him. Davos sprint is kind of my competition so for sure I wanted to win here. But I cannot be unhappy with 2nd.
Alexander Bolhshunov (RUS)
In the final the pace in the first lap was not that high, In the second lap Johannes and Federico were pushing hard. I wanted to stay close to the leading group. When they broke away I did my best to finish in 3rd place.
OFFICIAL RESULTS - 1.5 km Sprint Free
LADIES
1. NILSSON Stina SWE 2:47.99
2. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR +0.08
3. RANDALL Kikkan USA +2.53
4. DIGGINS Jessica USA 2:55.08 +4.41
5. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +5.62
6. SARGENT Ida USA +14.49
Complete RESULTS
MEN
1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 2:28.07
2. PELLEGRINO Federico ITA +1.80
3. BOLSHUNOV Alexander RUS +4.64
4. HAKOLA Ristomatti FIN +5.39
5. JOUVE Richard FRA +8.65
6. RETIVYKH Gleb RUS +18.34
Complete RESULTS
OVERALL WORLD CUP SPRINT STANDINGS
LADIES
1. NILSSON Stina SWE 195 pts
2. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR 180
3. PARMAKOSKI Krista FIN 143
Complete STANDINGS
MEN
1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 250 pts
2. BOLSHUNOV Alexander RUS 150
3. PELLEGRINO Federico ITA 129
Complete STANDINGS
Source: Fis-ski.com
