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Bjoergen and Brandsdal are sprint winners at 90th Lahti Ski Games
Marit Bjoergen and Eirik Brandsdal of Norway have won the free technique sprint competition at the 90th Lahti Ski Games. For Bjoergen it was her 40th World Cup sprint victory.
Bjoergen entered today's sprint competition with a 20 point lead over her teammate Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg in the overall sprint standings. Oestberg took second place +0.14 seconds behind Bjoergen's winning time of 2:59.79. With just one sprint left in Drammen, Bjoergen has extended her sprint overall lead to 40 points. Kikkan Randall of the USA got back on the podium for the first time this season with a third place finish +0.24.
Lahti Ski Games sprint final - Ladies
In the men's competition Brandsdal stayed out of trouble all day at the front of each of his heats and was the clear winner in the final. For Brandsdal it was his first trip back to the podium since before Christmas in Davos and his first win since Ruka the World Cup opener. In second place +0.21 off Brandsdal's time of 2:42.75 was Norway's Sindre Bjoernestad Skar for his first ever World Cup podium. It was also Skar's first ever World Cup final. In third was France's Richard Jouve who was making only his third ever World Cup start. He was 49th in Otepaa and 19th in Ostersund sprint events earlier this season. Jouve crossed the line +0.52 back from Brandsdal. This was also the first ever World Cup final in which 3 athletes were from Norway and 3 from France.
Lahti Ski Games sprint podium - Men
ATHLETE QUOTES
Marit Bjørgen, NOR
Today was much better than I thought. It is little bit surprising for me to be so good after Falun. I am really happy. I am looking forward the next competition in Lahti and then in Norway.
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR
Second place is really good and my best result in Lahti. After the start in the final I had to fight to get back to Marit. She was stronger in the home stretch. I felt Kikkan and Jessie were coming from behind. I am happy for Kikkan to be back.
Kikkan Randall, USA
It is great to be back on the podium. I am usually strong in the second part of the race and I tried to benefit from that. I used my downhill skills and a strong finish without pols.
Eirik Brandsdal, NOR
I love the track on Lahti. I knew after the prologue I felt very good. I knew there were some issues with soft snow on the course and I wanted to be in front of the heat and I managed to control my heats. Sindre helped me a lot.
Sindre Bjoernestad Skar, NOR
My goal today was to make it to the finals for the first time in my career. To finish on the podium in second place is pretty cool. I skied behind Eirik in the quarterfinal and semifinal. I managed to stay out of trouble also in the final.
Richard Jouve, FRA
It was a very good day for me. I am very happy for third place. It was my third World Cup appearance in my career and I did not expect this to happen. I am very proud to be on the podium. I felt very good in the qualification.
OFFICIAL RESULTS - Sprint free
LADIES
1. BJOERGEN Marit NOR 2:59.79
2. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +0.14
3. RANDALL Kikkan USA +0.24
4. DIGGINS Jessica USA +0.38
5. HERRMANN Denise GER +2.49
6. FALK Hanna SWE +3.64
MEN
1. BRANDSDAL Eirik NOR 2:42.75
2. SKAR Sindre Bjoernestad NOR +0.21
3. JOUVE Richard FRA +0.52
4. TAUGBOEL Haavard Solaas NOR +0.77(PF)
5. GROS Baptiste FRA +0.84(PF)
6. JAY Renaud FRA +3.29
Sprint World Cup standing ladies
1. Marit Bjørgen, NOR 550
2. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR 510
3. Maiken Caspersen Falla, NOR 412
Sprint World Cup standing men
1. Finn Hågen Krogh, NOR 399
2. Federico Pellegrino, ITA 366
3. Eirik Brandsdal, NOR 342
Bjoergen entered today's sprint competition with a 20 point lead over her teammate Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg in the overall sprint standings. Oestberg took second place +0.14 seconds behind Bjoergen's winning time of 2:59.79. With just one sprint left in Drammen, Bjoergen has extended her sprint overall lead to 40 points. Kikkan Randall of the USA got back on the podium for the first time this season with a third place finish +0.24.
Lahti Ski Games sprint final - Ladies
In the men's competition Brandsdal stayed out of trouble all day at the front of each of his heats and was the clear winner in the final. For Brandsdal it was his first trip back to the podium since before Christmas in Davos and his first win since Ruka the World Cup opener. In second place +0.21 off Brandsdal's time of 2:42.75 was Norway's Sindre Bjoernestad Skar for his first ever World Cup podium. It was also Skar's first ever World Cup final. In third was France's Richard Jouve who was making only his third ever World Cup start. He was 49th in Otepaa and 19th in Ostersund sprint events earlier this season. Jouve crossed the line +0.52 back from Brandsdal. This was also the first ever World Cup final in which 3 athletes were from Norway and 3 from France.
Lahti Ski Games sprint podium - Men
ATHLETE QUOTES
Marit Bjørgen, NOR
Today was much better than I thought. It is little bit surprising for me to be so good after Falun. I am really happy. I am looking forward the next competition in Lahti and then in Norway.
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR
Second place is really good and my best result in Lahti. After the start in the final I had to fight to get back to Marit. She was stronger in the home stretch. I felt Kikkan and Jessie were coming from behind. I am happy for Kikkan to be back.
Kikkan Randall, USA
It is great to be back on the podium. I am usually strong in the second part of the race and I tried to benefit from that. I used my downhill skills and a strong finish without pols.
Eirik Brandsdal, NOR
I love the track on Lahti. I knew after the prologue I felt very good. I knew there were some issues with soft snow on the course and I wanted to be in front of the heat and I managed to control my heats. Sindre helped me a lot.
Sindre Bjoernestad Skar, NOR
My goal today was to make it to the finals for the first time in my career. To finish on the podium in second place is pretty cool. I skied behind Eirik in the quarterfinal and semifinal. I managed to stay out of trouble also in the final.
Richard Jouve, FRA
It was a very good day for me. I am very happy for third place. It was my third World Cup appearance in my career and I did not expect this to happen. I am very proud to be on the podium. I felt very good in the qualification.
OFFICIAL RESULTS - Sprint free
LADIES
1. BJOERGEN Marit NOR 2:59.79
2. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +0.14
3. RANDALL Kikkan USA +0.24
4. DIGGINS Jessica USA +0.38
5. HERRMANN Denise GER +2.49
6. FALK Hanna SWE +3.64
MEN
1. BRANDSDAL Eirik NOR 2:42.75
2. SKAR Sindre Bjoernestad NOR +0.21
3. JOUVE Richard FRA +0.52
4. TAUGBOEL Haavard Solaas NOR +0.77(PF)
5. GROS Baptiste FRA +0.84(PF)
6. JAY Renaud FRA +3.29
Sprint World Cup standing ladies
1. Marit Bjørgen, NOR 550
2. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR 510
3. Maiken Caspersen Falla, NOR 412
Sprint World Cup standing men
1. Finn Hågen Krogh, NOR 399
2. Federico Pellegrino, ITA 366
3. Eirik Brandsdal, NOR 342
Source: fis-ski.com
