Intriguing sprints were held in Stockholm, Sweden today.
Anna Olsson won the women's qualification and the overall race. Sweden had a perfect run by having three women in the final. Justyna Kowalczyk challenged Olsson on the last uphill, but had to satisfy with the second place at the end. Marit Bjoergen didn't seem fast at the beginning of the final, but managed to rise at the finish straight - she took the third place overall.
The men's final was dominated by Sweden as well, with four Swedes against a Norwegian and a Russian. Petter Northug managed to reach the final as the only athlete to double pole the whole race. It seemed to be enough in the earlier heats, but this time the Olympic Champion Nikita Kriukov hung on to him up to the last uphill and thanks to kick wax, he was able to pass Nothug before the finish line. Sprint World Cup overall winner Emil Joensson finished third.
Kriukov fell in the last two World Cup races in Norway and was very happy to turn his luck around this time.
Photo: Skierpost.com
