World Cup Champion Dario Cologna (SUI) skied to victory over a stacked field in the 2009 Skarverennet. Norwegian World Cup star Theresse Johaug won the women’s race.
The 38km freestyle runs from Finse to Ustaoset, and has become both an elite race featuring many of the top skiers in the world, and a celebration of spring, with many of the 12,000+ competitors particpating in the untimed class.
Cologna skied away from a pack that included Axel Teichmann (GER), Petter Northug (NOR), Ole Einar Bjorndalen (NOR), and Evgeny Dementiev (RUS) among others. He won by 1:39 over Swiss teammate Toni Livers. Livers outsprinted Norwegian Frode Andersen to claim the 2nd spot.
Bjorn Daehlie showed he still has it, finishing 31st.
Johaug dominated the women’s race, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of Marthe Kristoffersen in 2nd, to win her third consecutive Skarverennet. Kristina Stoermer Steira completed the Norwegian sweep in 3rd.
Conditions were slow due to warm temperatures and slushy snow, resulting in slow times for the winners
