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Bjoergen hangs on for mini-tour victory in Lillehammer - UPDATED
Marit Bjoergen of Norway hung on to win her 5th consecutive mini-tour to start the World Cup season. But it was a battle to the finish with her teammate Therese Johaug. With 3 kilometers to the finish Bjoergen still maintained around a 20 second lead, but by the end of the longest climb on the course the gap had shrunk to zero. With no pause Johaug charged to the lead and attempted to getaway on the final climb. In the end Bjoergen was able to stay with her and double polled to victory by 0.6 seconds. Heidi Weng took third place +12.3 seconds back.
The depth of the Norwegian team showed again today with 6 athletes in the top 7 in the final standings. One of the big movers on the day was Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland who started in 30th position and move up 20 places to finish in 10th. Krista Parmakoski and Kerttu Niskanen both from Finland also skied their way into the top 10 today finishing 8th and 9th respectively.
ATHLETE QUOTES
Marit Bjørgen (NOR)
In the last lap I got very tired. I thought I had the race under control but on the last climb I had only 13 seconds gap and Therese was behind my back. I knew that if I do not give out everything on the last climb I can save some energy for the finish. I believed I could beat Therese on the home stretch. I feel sorry I beat Therese because she had a great performance today and skied perfectly.
Therese Johaug (NOR)
I had a very good race today. My technique was very good. Perhaps I could have skied tactically better in the end of the race. I knew that I could gain many seconds on the last hill. When I saw Marit I tried to push myself as much as possible. Marit was very strong and I could not beat her but I am very happy about the mini-tour in Lillehammer.
Heidi Weng (NOR)
Therese came very fast and caught me on the first hill. I tried to ski as fast as I could but I could not follow her on the last climb. I am happy about the third podium this season.
LADIES' FINAL RESULTS - Stage 3
1. BJOERGEN Marit NOR 28:19.7
2. JOHAUG Therese NOR +0.6
3. WENG Heidi NOR +12.3
4. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +1:38.3
5. KALLA Charlotte SWE +1:50.9
6. HAGA Ragnhild NOR +1:55.3
FASTEST ON THE DAY - 10 km classic
1. JOHAUG Therese NOR 27:48.2
2. WENG Heidi NOR +23.9
3. BJOERGEN Marit NOR +31.5
4. KOWALCZYK Justyna POL +1:14.7
5. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +1:23.6
Overall World Cup Standing
1. Marit Bjørgen NOR 519 pts
2. Therese Johaug NOR 388 pts
3. Heidi Weng NOR 304 pts
Distance World Cup Standing
1. Therese Johaug NOR 200 pts
2. Marit Bjørgen NOR 169 pts
3. Charlotte Kalla SWE 132 pts
ATHLETE QUOTES
Marit Bjørgen (NOR)
In the last lap I got very tired. I thought I had the race under control but on the last climb I had only 13 seconds gap and Therese was behind my back. I knew that if I do not give out everything on the last climb I can save some energy for the finish. I believed I could beat Therese on the home stretch. I feel sorry I beat Therese because she had a great performance today and skied perfectly.
Therese Johaug (NOR)
I had a very good race today. My technique was very good. Perhaps I could have skied tactically better in the end of the race. I knew that I could gain many seconds on the last hill. When I saw Marit I tried to push myself as much as possible. Marit was very strong and I could not beat her but I am very happy about the mini-tour in Lillehammer.
Heidi Weng (NOR)
Therese came very fast and caught me on the first hill. I tried to ski as fast as I could but I could not follow her on the last climb. I am happy about the third podium this season.
LADIES' FINAL RESULTS - Stage 3
1. BJOERGEN Marit NOR 28:19.7
2. JOHAUG Therese NOR +0.6
3. WENG Heidi NOR +12.3
4. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +1:38.3
5. KALLA Charlotte SWE +1:50.9
6. HAGA Ragnhild NOR +1:55.3
FASTEST ON THE DAY - 10 km classic
1. JOHAUG Therese NOR 27:48.2
2. WENG Heidi NOR +23.9
3. BJOERGEN Marit NOR +31.5
4. KOWALCZYK Justyna POL +1:14.7
5. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +1:23.6
Overall World Cup Standing
1. Marit Bjørgen NOR 519 pts
2. Therese Johaug NOR 388 pts
3. Heidi Weng NOR 304 pts
Distance World Cup Standing
1. Therese Johaug NOR 200 pts
2. Marit Bjørgen NOR 169 pts
3. Charlotte Kalla SWE 132 pts
Source: fis-ski.com
