Petra Majdic from Slovenia and the 21-year-old Mickael Devjatiarov (RUS) won the today’s classic style Royal Sprint race in Stockholm (SWE), where today for the fourth time a Sprint took place in front of the Royal Palace.
. Also in the final: Pirjo Manninen (FIN, 5th place) and Justyna Kowalczyk (POL, 6th place). </p>
<p>Majdic was in the qualification round the fastest lady and managed with this victory the fifth podium place this season. Anna Dahlberg repeated her third place result from the classical Sprint World Cup race in Lahti (FIN). </p>
<p>The overall World Cup is already won by Virpi Kuitunen, who has at the moment 1607 points. In second place is Marit Bjoergen (NOR), who finished the today’s race in place 19, with 841 points and just 2 points behind is now Petra Majdic. </p>
<p>The Sprint World Cup went to Virpi Kuitunen with 532 points. The second place took Petra Majdic with 385 points and on third place followed Natalia Matveeva with 316 points. All of them are for the first time on the overall Sprint World Cup podium.</p>
<p>In the men’s race the Russian Mickael Devjatiarov jun., the son form the Olympic Champion from 1988 in Calgary, Mickael Devjatiarov, could celebrate his first World Cup victory ever. The second place in a photofinish took Emil Jeonsson (SWE ahead of his team-mate Mats Larsson. On fourth place finished Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR), Peter von Allmen (SUI) took the fifth place and also in the A-Final was Bjoern Lind from Sweden. </p>
<p>For the third place finisher at the U23 World Championships in the Sprint race it was the first podium place ever — he was only one time 9th in the Sprint of Changchun (CHN). Also the 21-year-old Joensson it was the first podium place ever in his career after being a few times in the top six in this season. </p>
<p>In the overall World Cup standing, Tobias Angerer from Germany is in the lead with 1031 points ahead of Alexander Legkov (RUS, 573 points) and Eldar Roenning (NOR, 556 points).</p>
<p>The Sprint World Cup was won by Jens Arne Svartedal with totally 341 points. His team mate Trond Iversen is second with 286 points and the third place took in this ranking the Swede Emil Joensson with 282 points. For Svartedal it is the first time to win the overall Sprint World Cup, his finished until now only two times second (2002 and 2004). </p>
<p>Number of participants/ participating nations: 54 ladies, 61 men/ 17 nations</p>
<p>Spectators: 15,000<br />
Weather: cloudy, 1°C </p>
<p>Snow Conditions: Granular </p>
<p>Special remarks:<br />
Course: Height difference: 11m; Maximum climb: 11m; Total climb: 25m, Length of laps: 1040m;</p>
<p>Quotes:</p>
<p>Petra Majdic (SLO): “It was just amazing. After the second place in Drammen I’m very happy to manage the victory. My skies were good and I felt very good from the beginning of the race until the end. On the last meter I was only thinking: no, this time I will not lose the race on the last meters. I love city sprints and the sprint here in Stockholm in front of the Royal palace is something special.â€</p>
<p>Virpi Kuitunen (FIN), (2nd of today’s race and the Sprint World Cup winner): “Petra (Majdic) was today stronger. On the flat part I lose too much. But it is always nice to flight against Petra — because it is a fair fight. To win the Sprint World Cup is great and I’m happy to have this trophy in my hands.</p>
<p>Mickael Devjatiarov (RUS): “I can’t believe that I won the race — it is amazing. The race was a tough one but my feelings were good and I looked forward from each heat to the next one.†</p>
<p>Jens Arne Svartedal (NOR), (winner of the Sprint World Cup): “My today’s race was not optimal but to win the Sprint World Cup that is a great feeling. I’m happy that I could manage this goal.â€</p>
<p>Souce: FIS</p>
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FasterSkierMarch 21, 2007Petra Majdic from Slovenia and the 21-year-old Mickael Devjatiarov (RUS) won the today’s classic style Royal Sprint race in Stockholm (SWE), where today for the fourth time a Sprint took place in front of the Royal Palace.
