Source: Langrenn.com
 is pulling #141 Odd-Bjœrn Hjelmeset (silver), #140 Jens Arne Svartedal (bronze), Tore Bjonviken (8.place) # 138 Espen Harald Bjerke (4.place). Photo: Erland Lundby</font></center><BR><br />
Kristen Skjeldal wasn’t able to beat his teammates in the 50-kilometer classic mass-start in the snowstorm at Worlds, but got revenge at crushed them in the 50-kilometer classic individual start race at the Norwegian championship on Sunday.</p>
<p>Krister Skjeldal won his fifth 50-kilometer Norwegian championship gold in wet, heavy conditions at Lillehammer on Sunday. It was his tenth individual Nationals gold.</p>
<p>– This is cross country skiing. 50-kilometer is for me the most exciting race, smiles gold medal winner Skjeldal after winning his fifth ever Norwegian championship on that distance.</p>
<p>Odd-Bjorn Hjelmeset was in the lead after the first out of three laps, but Skjeldal skied 45-seconds faster than Hjelmeset during 10-kilometer on the second lap and was then skiing with Hjemeset that had started 30 seconds in front of him.</p>
<p> Skjeldal and Hjelmeset skied together all the way to the finish and sprinted side-by-side down the finish stretch. Odd-Bjorn won the sprint, but Skjeldal could raise his hands and celebrate the gold.</p>
<p> Skjeldal has decided to continue racing for one more season.</p>
<p>– Next year will be my last as an elite skier, but I will probably continue to show up and race at nationals after that, says Skjeldal</p>
<p>Complete results at: <a href=http://www.langrenn.com/cparticle236947-1743.html)
http://www.langrenn.com/cparticle236947-1743.html
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Norwegian 50-Kilometer Championship: Skjeldal Beat The Medal Winners From Oberstdorf
FasterSkierApril 7, 2005http://www.langrenn.com/cparticle236947-1743.html
