Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway - the current Overall World Cup leader - was back on top of the podium today in the 15 km classic in Davos, Switzerland.  Sundby commented in the media yesterday that it might be possible to complete the 3 laps of the 5 km course without wax on the skis, but he also stated that it would be a big effort.  

Three athletes tried with no wax today and one of them being Dario Cologna of Switzerland.  Cologna held the lead in the finish until he was bumped by Norway's Didrik Toenseth by just +0.7 seconds.  It would have been Cologna's first ever World Cup win in Switzerland.  In the end Toenseth settled for second place +6.3 back from Sundby's winning time of 39:39.7.  

In a shift from last weekend's results there were 5 countries present in the top 6 today. Up next will be free technique sprints tomorrow the 14 December.



ATHLETE QUOTES

Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR)
It was a big dilemma to chose between classic and free technique skis. Until before the start I wanted to go on skate skis. I expected that last 5 km to be really hard if I went double poling. After 10 km when I heard that Dario had a big lead I thought I made a wrong choice.

Didrik Tønseth (NOR)
My plan was to ski 3 even laps. I tried to keep the same pace. I thought that the course here would not fit me because I like steeper uphills. Last year I also started last season strong but after the Christmas it was not good.I hope I can keep the good shape until the World Championships in Falun.

Dario Cologna (SUI)
I am very happy to finish on the podium. My first races at the beginning of the season were not good. I decided to go double poling. It was a right choice for me. I had a good speed until the end.



OFFICIAL RESULTS



MEN'S TOP 6 - 15 km classic

1. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR 39:39.7
2. TOENSETH Didrik NOR +6.6
3. COLOGNA Dario SUI +7.3
4. ROETHE Sjur NOR +16.4
5. RICHARDSSON Daniel SWE +22.9
6. JAUHOJAERVI Sami FIN +25.4

Overall World Cup standing men
1. Martin Johnsrud Sundby NOR 491 pts
2. Finn Hågen Krogh NOR 309 pts
3. Didrik Tønseth NOR 258 pts

Distance World Cup standing men
1. Martin Johnsrud Sundby NOR 273 pts
2. Didrik Tønseth NOR 168 pts
3. Dario Cologno SUI 129 pts

Helvetia U23 ranking men
1. Iivo Niskanen FIN 105 pts
2. Francesco de Fabiani ITA 74 pts
3. Sergey Ustiugov RUS 72 pts 

Source: fis-ski.com