Maiken Caspersen Falla of Norway and Nikita Kriukov of Russia have won the 11th edition of the Royal Palace Sprints in Stockholm, Sweden.

Falla won her 4th consecutive classic sprint and the 4th FIS World Cup classic sprint in the past 5. With her victory today, she has taken over the Overall World Cup sprint standings lead from Stina Nilsson of Sweden who was third in today’s sprint. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg of Norway was second on the day showing great form following the tough 30km in Olso just 4 days ago. Just 6 points separate Falla, Oestberg and Nilsson in the overall sprint standings.

Kriukov made his return to the top of the sprint podium in dominant fashion coming from 4th place on the final 100 meters and overtake everyone for the win. In second place for the second sprint in the row was Norway’s Ola Vigen Hattestad and in third was last week’s winner from Drammen Petter Northug Jr. also of Norway.

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ATHLETE QUOTES 

Maiken Caspersen Falla NOR
I am really happy with today’s result. I felt so strong day and the conditions were really difficult so it’s great to win again. Now I have the red sprint leaders bib and I hope that I can fight to keep it.

Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg NOR
I can say that this is the first time that I have felt some fatigue from previous racing. The 30 km was tough last weekend and I think I felt it in the finals. I am happy for Maiken she was better than I was today and I can’t believe that it’s another podium for me this season.

Stina Nilsson SWE
It was great to race in front of the home crowd. I tried as hard as I could but Maiken and Ingvild were stronger, but I am happy with how it went today to be on the podium again.

Nikita Kriukov RUS
I am back. It feels good to be back on the podium again and this time in first. I have skied well here before and I am happy to do it again in the soft snow today.

Ola Vigen Hattestad NOR
Last week in Drammen I was happy to be on the podium in second place but I can say that today I wanted to win but Kriukov was so strong at the end. But I still have to be satisfied with two podiums in the last two sprints.

Petter Northug Jr.
I feel the 50 km from last weekend.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS – 1.2 km classic sprint

LADIES 

1. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR 3:09.38
2. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR +3.39
3. NILSSON Stina SWE +4.37
4. FALK Hanna SWE +5.22
5. OEBERG Jennie SWE +6.26(5)
6. SHAPOVALOVA Evgenia RUS +12.70

Complete ladies' sprint results are available HERE.

MEN  

KRIUKOV Nikita RUS 2:46.70
HATTESTAD Ola Vigen NOR +0.69
NORTHUG Petter Jr. NOR +1.16
KROGH Finn Haagen NOR +3.66
GROS Baptiste FRA +3.70
FOSSLI Sondre Turvoll NOR +11.73

Complete men's sprint results are available HERE. 

OVERALL SPRINT WORLD CUP STANDINGS

LADIES 

1. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR 480 pts
2. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad NOR 476 pts
3. NILSSON Stina SWE 474 pts

Complete ladies' overall World Cup standings are available HERE. 

MEN

1. PELLEGRINO Federico ITA 415 pts
2. NORTHUG Petter Jr. NOR 308 pts
3. KROGH Finn Haagen NOR 252 pts

Complete men's overall World Cup standings are available HERE. 

Source: fis-ski.com