Sport News
First win's of year for Sweden & Russia in team sprint competition
Today World Cup team sprints in free technique were held in Otepää, Estonia. Ida Ingemarsdotter and Stina Nilsson from Sweden were the fastest ladies, Norway took the second place (+0,85 seconds, Maiken Caspersen Falla, Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg) and Poland the third (+0,95 seconds, Justyna Kowalczyk, Sylwia Jaśkowiec). Among men Russian team of Alexey Petukhov ja Sergey Ustiugov were the best, Norway again on the second place (+0,4 seconds, Anders Gloeersen, Finn Haagen Krogh) and Italy on third (+12,95 seconds, Dietmar Noeckler, Federico Pellegrino).
The Swedes took the win in front of their big rivals Norway in the last stages of the final lap. Stina Nilsson from Sweden: “I’m very happy with Ida’s performance. I went out at the same time as Norway and I knew Ingvild is very strong and I wanted to be behind her on the last downhill and circle around.” Her team member Ida Ingemarsdotter praised the service team for good skis: „Waxers did a very good job, I had very good skis downhill. I tried to keep closer and push downhill and I tried to give Stina as good position as possible.“
Russian team took a clear victory in men’s race controlling the action on the last lap. Sergey Ustiugov who crossed the finish line first was also happy with his teammate performance who sent him to the final lap as a leader. According to him the did not have a plan for the race but looked how it played out and took the maximum from it.
The Swedes took the win in front of their big rivals Norway in the last stages of the final lap. Stina Nilsson from Sweden: “I’m very happy with Ida’s performance. I went out at the same time as Norway and I knew Ingvild is very strong and I wanted to be behind her on the last downhill and circle around.” Her team member Ida Ingemarsdotter praised the service team for good skis: „Waxers did a very good job, I had very good skis downhill. I tried to keep closer and push downhill and I tried to give Stina as good position as possible.“
Russian team took a clear victory in men’s race controlling the action on the last lap. Sergey Ustiugov who crossed the finish line first was also happy with his teammate performance who sent him to the final lap as a leader. According to him the did not have a plan for the race but looked how it played out and took the maximum from it.
ATHLETE QUOTES
Stina Nilsson, SWE
It is great to win in the team sprint with Ida. We are very happy for the first place. It feels great to beat the Norwegian team. I knew Ingvild would be very strong and my plan was to attack on the home stretch. The victory today has given us a lot of confidence before the World Championships in Falun.
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR
We felt good and tried to get a big gap. Unfortunately the plan did not work as we had hoped but the second place is good.
Justyna Kowalczyk, POL
It is the first time Poland has made it in the to the podium in the team sprint. I am very happy.
Alexey Petukhov, RUS
It feel amazing to win in Otepää. We like it here very much. The atmosphere was great both in the stadium and at the track. Sergey was very strong today. We were a great team.
Finn Hågen Krogh, NOR
It was a difficult final. I tried to follow Sergey but he was very strong today.
Federico Pellegrino, ITA
It’s fantastic to be back on the podium. It is incredible to share the podium with Dietmar. It is great for the Italian Cross-Country Skiing.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Ladies team sprint free
1. Sweden I (Ingemarsdotter, Nilsson) 16:11.13
2. Norway I (Falla, Østberg) +0.85
3. Poland (Kowalczyk, Jaskowiec) +0.95
Men team sprint free
1. Russia I (Petukhov, Ustiugov) 19:39.10
2. Norway I (Gloeersen, Krogh) +0.40
3. Italy (Noeckler, Pellegrino) +12.95
Stina Nilsson, SWE
It is great to win in the team sprint with Ida. We are very happy for the first place. It feels great to beat the Norwegian team. I knew Ingvild would be very strong and my plan was to attack on the home stretch. The victory today has given us a lot of confidence before the World Championships in Falun.
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR
We felt good and tried to get a big gap. Unfortunately the plan did not work as we had hoped but the second place is good.
Justyna Kowalczyk, POL
It is the first time Poland has made it in the to the podium in the team sprint. I am very happy.
Alexey Petukhov, RUS
It feel amazing to win in Otepää. We like it here very much. The atmosphere was great both in the stadium and at the track. Sergey was very strong today. We were a great team.
Finn Hågen Krogh, NOR
It was a difficult final. I tried to follow Sergey but he was very strong today.
Federico Pellegrino, ITA
It’s fantastic to be back on the podium. It is incredible to share the podium with Dietmar. It is great for the Italian Cross-Country Skiing.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Ladies team sprint free
1. Sweden I (Ingemarsdotter, Nilsson) 16:11.13
2. Norway I (Falla, Østberg) +0.85
3. Poland (Kowalczyk, Jaskowiec) +0.95
Men team sprint free
1. Russia I (Petukhov, Ustiugov) 19:39.10
2. Norway I (Gloeersen, Krogh) +0.40
3. Italy (Noeckler, Pellegrino) +12.95
Source: fis-ski.com
