Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg and Tomas Northug both of Norway won their first ever World Cup classic sprints today in Otepaa, Estonia. For Oestberg it was her second career World Cup victory but her first in classic. She won the free technique sprint the first Davos World Cup weekend before Christmas this season.

Oestberg was followed onto the podium by Sweden's Stina Nilsson +0.60 in second place with Celine Brun-Lie of Norway in third +2.29. Heavy snowfall with temperatures around freezing made for tricky wax conditions. Many athletes as they moved from quarterfinals to semifinals and then the finals switched from klister skis to no wax skis. Oestberg led down the final downhill into the stadium where the different speed of skis really played a factor but she stayed in the lead and held off a charge from Nilsson on the homestretch.

In the men's competition it was a podium of many firsts. Finland's Toni Ketelae not only made his first ever World Cup podium with his third place finish but it was his first ever World Cup final. For the day's winner Northug it was his first ever World Cup victory and his first ever World Cup podium. Ola Vigen Hattestad came from third position on the finish stretch to out lunge Ketelae in the photo finish for second place +1.57. Northug went for the win from the start and skied away from the entire field to secure his first ever win. Northug has been long know as the younger brother of Petter Northug Jr., but with his win today he will be now known for one of the most spectacular sprint victories on World Cup.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR
I had a good qualification and heats. Before the final I had to make the decision if I go on zero skis or klister. I chose the second option and it was a good decision. The whole day I had perfect skis. I felt good that nobody could keep up with me in the last 100 m.

Stina Nilsson, SWE
The final was very good. I changed skis for the final. I had a very good grip and glide too. We had a very good Swedish team today. It is great to see the other girls competing well.

Celine Brun-Lie, NOR
The final was very tough. It was fast. I tried to follow Ingvild. I am very happy for the third place. I have never been on the podium in the classic sprint. Today’s result is very important for the qualification for the World Championships.

Tomas Northug, NOR
It was a special final. I decided not to go on skate skis. I did not plan to go so fast after the start but I saw that Finn was little bit behind and on the first climb I got the information I had a 15 m lead. I took a chance and went for it. It is great to win the first World Cup.

Ola Vigen Hattestad, NOR
The final was a big lottery. I was testing three pairs of skis before the final. I think it was the most crazy final I have ever skied. I did not catch Tomas go away and then the gap was too big.

Toni Ketelae, FIN
It is amazing to finish third today. It was my first World Cup final and my first World Cup podium result. I felt very good since the prologue.

OFFICIAL RESULTS - Classic sprints

LADIES

1. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR 3:20.18
2. NILSSON Stina SWE +0.60
3. BRUN-LIE Celine NOR +2.29
4. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR +3.67
5. SHAPOVALOVA Evgenia RUS +4.78
6. PAJALA Magdalena SWE +5.99

MEN

1. NORTHUG Tomas NOR 3:50.59
2. HATTESTAD Ola Vigen NOR +1.57(PF2)
3. KETELAE Toni FIN +1.57(PF3)
4. GOLBERG Paal NOR +6.28
5. Finn Haagen NOR +9.23
6. FOSSLI Sondre Turvoll NOR +10.26

Sprint World Cup standing ladies
1. ØSTBERG Ingvild Flugstad, NOR 385 pts
2. BJOERGEN Marit, NOR 350 pts
3. FALLA Maiken Caspersen, NOR 303 pts

Overall World Cup standing ladies
1. BJOERGEN Marit, NOR 1588 pts
2. JOHAUG Therese, NOR 1138 pts
3. WENG Heidi, NOR 1017 pts

Helvetia U23 standing ladies
1. NILSSON Stina, SWE 242 pts
2. STADLOBER Teresa, AUT 214 pts
3. VON SIEBENTHAL Nathalie, SUI 110 pts

Sprint World Cup standing men

1. KROGH Finn Haagen, NOR 298 pts
2. PETUKHOV Alexey, RUS 239 pts
3. BRANDSDAL Eirik, NOR 238 pts

Overall World Cup standing men
1. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud, NOR 1189 pts
2. NORTHUG Petter, NOR 849 pts
3. HALFVARSSON Calle, SWE 806 pts

OFFICIAL RESULTS - Classic sprints

LADIES

1. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR 3:20.18
2. NILSSON Stina SWE +0.60
3. BRUN-LIE Celine NOR +2.29
4. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR +3.67
5. SHAPOVALOVA Evgenia RUS +4.78
6. PAJALA Magdalena SWE +5.99

MEN

1. NORTHUG Tomas NOR 3:50.59
2. HATTESTAD Ola Vigen NOR +1.57(PF2)
3. KETELAE Toni FIN +1.57(PF3)
4. GOLBERG Paal NOR +6.28
5. Finn Haagen NOR +9.23
6. FOSSLI Sondre Turvoll NOR +10.26

Source: fis-ski.com