DUSSELDORF, Germany (Oct. 28) – Olympian Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) collided with another racer in his semifinal heat of the season-opening sprint Saturday but rebounded to finish eighth. Newell was fourth-fastest in qualifying.
 finished 46th and Torin Koos (Leavenworth, WA) 51st in the rainy, soft-snow conditions. </p>
<p>For the past few years, Sweden has dominated the Dusseldorf races on the men's side, with Swede Peter Larsson having won 4 years in a row. But today the Norwegians laid down the law, sweeping the podium. </p>
<p>Eldar Ronning earned the second World Cup victory of his career. He outsprinted teammates Oystein Pettersen and Tor Arne Hetland for the win. Pettersen was the fastest qualifier.</p>
<p>Also see:<br />
<a href=http://www.fasterskier.com/racing3648.html)
Norway: The Sprint Throne is Ours
Last Year:The King Of Düsseldorf Won Again!
There was no shake-up on the women's side, as Norwegian World Cup Champion Marit Bjorgen wasted no time proving that she is still the woman to beat. She won the prologue as well as the A-Final to earn 100 points towards her goal of a 6th straight World Cup season title in Sprinting. Natalia Matveeva of Russia earned her first World Cup podium by taking second, and Norwegian Ella Gjoemle was third.
Last Year: Marit Bjorgen On Top In Germany
For complete results:
Women:
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=11802
Men:
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=11801
Tomorrow is the sprint relay event.
Sources: USSA, Eurosport, FIS
