Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear at Oberstdorf (GER)
on January 3rd, 2007
Petra Majdic (SLO) and the 22-years-old Franz Goering (GER) won the Individual competition of the Tour de Ski 10 km (ladies) and 15 km (men) in classical technique in the World Championships village from 2005 in Oberstdorf.
Petra Majdic took her first Tour de Ski stage victory in a race with difficult snow conditions clearly 27.2 seconds ahead of the overall Tour de Ski leader Kristin Steira from Norway. On third place finished Virpi Kuitunen (FIN) 33.8 seconds behind the winner.
Kristin Steira is still in the lead of the overall Tour de Ski ranking (Golden Bib) 20.4 seconds ahead of the today’s winner Majdic and 23.4 ahead of Aino Kaisa Saarinen who finished today on fifth place.
In the standing of the Tour de Ski Sprint ranking (Silver Bib) there were no changes because in the today’s race the competitor couldn’t fight for bonus seconds. In this category, Marit Bjoergen is in the lead with 55 points ahead of Aino Kaisa Saarinen.
In the men’s race the Germans celebrated a triple victory with Franz Goering 13.3 seconds ahead his team mate René Sommerfeldt. For Franz Goering it was the first time on the top of a podium. Third place Tobias Angerer is 30.0 seconds behind the youngster Goering.
The new leader of the Golden Bib which stands for the Overall Tour de Ski leading is Tobias Angerer 17.0 seconds ahead of newcomer Simen Oestensen (NOR), who was competition in his third World Cup race. The third place is the winner’s of the today’s race, Franz Goering.
In the Sprint ranking, still in the lead is Devon Kershaw one point ahead of Simen Oestensen.
Out of the Tour de Ski are also already some favourites. Today not at the start were for example Kristina Smigun (EST), Axel Teichmann (GER) and Odd Bjoern Hjelmeset (NOR). All of them had some problems with the health.
Tomorrow the Tour de Ski have the second rest day. The next competition, a Sprint race in free technique, will be in Asiago (ITA) on Friday, 05th.
Number of participants/ participating nations: 55 ladies, 74 men/ 21 nations
Spectators: 4,500
Weather: snow, 0.2°C
Snow Conditions: wet and powder
Quotes:
Petra Majdic (today’s winner):
I´m very satisfied by my result. Yesterday was a catastrophe, I had bad skis. I went very relaxed into the race today and had perfect skis. I felt very well. I continued strong in the race and took my best chances and did my best. I knew that every second counts and I have to fight in any case.
Kristin Steira, NOR (Overall Tour Leader)
I´m very surprised about my performance today. In this morning, I was tired after yesterday’s race. My goal is to stay in the race and to have fun. I had a good day and great skis. I think the sprint in Asiago will be a bad day for me.
Marit Bjoergen (Tour Sprint Leader)
My race today was not good. I’m not happy but I try to looking forward to Asiago for the Sprint. For sure we will support in the Mass Start Race Kristin (Steira), when she is still wearing the ‘Golden Bib’.
Franz Goering, GER (Winner of today’s race)
This victory is just great and is very important for me as all World Cup teams are starting. It is a good feeling to be first. Today I felt very well and from the beginning everything was better for me than yesterday. During the first two rounds I could stick to someone in front of me. After that I found my own rhythm and in round four I got the information that I am among the first. I was really surprised and accelerated even more. The fans were fantastic and they helped me a lot.
After the victory I do not look at the overall Tour results but only at the results of one race. One of my goals was to rank among the first here in Oberstdorf. The Tour is very hard especially for the younger athletes like me. In future we will have to get a new concept for the training if the Tour is established in our World Cup. The Tour de Ski is a great idea and, therefore, the cross country skiing becomes more attractive. Hopefully it will stay forever
Tobias Angerer, GER (Overall Ranking Leader)
I am very happy about my third place but more important for me is the victory of the team. The race was quite tough and tiring. The first round was perfect. To choose the glister ski was correct and the service crew did a very good job. Unfortunately during the last two rounds snow was falling and, therefore, the tracks were no longer fast and I didn’t have a chance anymore. I am very surprised about the Golden Bib but I know that my condition is perfect and I can manage to rank among the first five. At the moment I am enjoying today’s victory and looking forward to tomorrow’s Tour pause. After that I will concentrate on the next race in Asiago. The final race in Val di Fiemme and the overall Tour results are not important at the moment. There are still many racers who can win the Tour.
Devon Kershaw, CAN (Sprint Ranking Leader)
I choose the wrong ski’s today. My race was not top and I’m looking forward to Asiago — Sprint is my favourite distance.
For complete results please visit www.tour-de-ski.com or www.fis-ski.com
