Norwegian cross-country skiier Therese Johaug triumphed in the 10-kilometre women’s mass start yesterday to extend her lead at the top of the World Cup standings while there was more Russian success among the men.
World Cup leader Martin Johnsrud Sundby had been in the running for another Norwegian victory in the men’s 15 km race but Sergey Ustiugov burst back to snatch glory and a third straight victory for Russia, with team-mate Maxim Vylegzhanin having won Saturday’s classic style race, and Nikita Kriukov top in Thursday’s sprint in Stockholm.
Johaug’s 14 wins in a season means she ties compatriot Bente Skari, who also managed the feat in 2002-03. Only Marit Bjoergen has won more in one season, 17 in 2011-12 and 15 last season.
Tour de Ski champion Johaug had already won the 5 km classic style on Saturday and easily wrapped up victory yesterday in 23 minutes 28.0 seconds.
“I wanted to push really hard from the beginning today and see how many were able to come with me,” Johaug said. “It’s been an amazing season so far. I really can’t believe I have won so many races.”
Team mates Heidi Weng and Astrid Jacobsen placed second and third, 8.8 and 13.9 seconds behind, in another Norwegian sweep.
Weng said: “I was nervous for the mass start with all the others but Therese started like it was a sprint so there weren’t many of us from the beginning.
“I tried to stay with her as long as I could but my legs started to get stiff and I just focused on my technique to make sure that I still got to the finish in second place.”
Johaug has marched on to 1,859 points in the overall World Cup standings, well ahead of team mate Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg on 1,651. Weng lies third after 25 out of 36 events this season, with Johaug well set to break Bjoergen’s record.
Ustiugov prevailed in 31.42.5 in a sprint to the line and punched the air in delight as he crossed the line. Francesco De Fabiani was next, 0.3 seconds behind with Sundby having to settle for third, 0.4 adrift.
Sundby was still smiling in the overall standings, moving on to 1,792 points with nearest rival Finn Haagen Krogh only coming fifth to notch 1,065 and Petter Northug, 10th on the day, on 1,031.
In other Nordic action on Sunday, the ski-jumpers had a third competition on the Norwegian flying hill in Vikersund.
Norway’s Therese Johaug is chased by her compatriot Heidi Weng during the women’s 10 km mass start competition at the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Falun, Sweden, yesterday. (AFP)
