FasterSkier’s coverage of the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy, is brought to you by the generous support of Fischer Sports.
VAL DI FIEMME, Italy — Marit Bjørgen (NOR) gave the many Norwegian fans in Italy just what they came to see in the opening race of the 2013 Nordic World Ski Championships on Thursday. In her ninth career victory at the event, she won the classic sprint by over two seconds on an exciting, challenging course. Images from the day:
Nicole Fessel (GER) goes by a sea of Swedish flags in qualifying.
Stina Nillson (SWE).
Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) climbs.
Anne Kylloenen (FIN) striding.
Marit Bjørgen (NOR) begins her ascent.
Bjørgen.
Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR).
Charlotte Kalla (SWE).
Sophie Caldwell (USA) returns to the stadium.
The first women’s quarterfinal begins its ascent.
Denise Hermann (GER) brings it home in Q1.
Mona-Lisa Malvalehto (FIN) also advances in second.
Sophie Caldwell (USA) leaves the finish pen after placing fourth in Q1.
Marit Bjørgen (NOR) leaves the double-pole zone with Q2.
Bjørgen brings home the second quarterfinal.
Stina Nilsson (SWE), Katja Visnar (SLO) and Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR) charge for the line.
Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) and Ida Ingemarsdotter (SWE) advance from quarterfinal four.
Alena Prochazkova (SVK) and Nicole Fessel (GER) move on from the last quarterfinal; Kikkan Randall (USA) is left out in fourth.
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Randall catches her breath.
Bjørgen, Falla and Visnar move through from the semifinals.
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Bjørgen celebrates moving onto the finals.
In the final heat, Bjørgen approaches the finish with a clear margin.
Bjørgen raises her arms in victory at world championships for the ninth time in her career.
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Ingemarsdotter, the runner-up, congratulates the victor.
Bjørgen and Falla celebrate two Norwegian medals.
Podium finishers take a victory lap.
Bjørgen meets the press…
…and showboats with her self-fulfilling jacket.
The women’s classic sprint podium: Marit Bjørgen, Ida Ingemarsdotter and Maiken Caspersen Falla. Photo: Fiemme 2013.
