Val di Fiemme – An unforgettable male relay has took place at the World Cup in Val di Fiemme. At the photo-finish Norway won thanks to an anchor leg by Tore Ruud Hofstad who competed with Christian Zorzi for a really difficult victory. The photo-finish gap was only 6/100 of a second for first place, and 2/100 between Rousselet (FRA) and Dementiev (RUS) to assign the 3rd place on the podium. It was a thrilling race from the first to the last leg: Germany was leading the competition at the beginning, but the Norwegians got the first position with Svartedal during the second lap.
The first Norwegian athlete gained terrain on Russia and Di Centa, who was pushing really hard, exchanging with Valbusa in 3rd place. Norway was still leading the 2nd leg with Hjelmeset, while the Russian Ivanov was losing 2†and Schluetter was 3rd before the French Vittoz, coming from the 10th position. The 1st skating leg was dominated by the German Teichmann, leaving behind him Estil and Jonnier, but Pietro Piller Cottrer had the best leg time, reaching the 4th position.
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=15507&cal_suchsector=CC
Relay 4×5 Women:
1) Russia 51.23.8;
2) Germany +1,4;
3) Norway +17,2;
4) Finland +17,7;
5) Russia II +1.23.4;
6) France +2.04.4;
7) Italy +2.06.8;
8) Kazakhstan +2.18.3;
9) Japan +2.21.8;
10) Sweden +2.48.4.
Relay 4×10 Men:
1) Norway 1.34.07;
2) Italy + 0.0;
3) France +0.5;
4) Russia +0,5;
5) Germany +0,6;
6) Italy II +1.48.5;
7) Austria +1.50.1;
8) Switzerland +2.08.4;
9) USA/SWE +2.08.5;
10) Sweden +2.26.9.
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 Source: Mario Facchini – www.newspower.it
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