Rybinsk, Russia – Mariann Longs (ITA) won the first ever 10km freestyle mass start event. Longa edged teammate Ariann Follis by .4 seconds. Steffie Bohler (GER) was third. The front pack consisted of 17 skiers at the finish – all were within 6.6 seconds of Longa. The top 34 were within one minute of the lead, and the filed remained one large pack thorugh the first 3 kilometers.
Longa and Follis skipped last weekend’s World Cup in Estonia after having a successful weekend racing in Whistler.
Longa was ecstatic with her first career victory, saying “Our race was fantastic. I am very happy. It is my second podium, but the first ever victory. I can’t express what I feel, I’m just so happy. My skis were really fast today. So after the last downhill I just went. The audience here is amazing. It is so emotional!”
Added Follis, “It is a great day for us, Marianna and I took an Italian double victory for the first time in 13 years. That is amazing. We like Rybinsk, it seems a lucky place for us. The course is difficult and has tough uphills, especially when you come to the finish you have to be in the second or third on the top of the last uphill to have a chance to take the victory. Beside the course, Marianna and I are friends and I’m really happy not only about my second place but also for her victory.“