While most North American ski racers have put their skis away for the winter, there is still plenty of racing action in Europe. A quick roundup of some of the weekend’s events.
Marit Bjoergen and Sjur Røthe Win Haukelirennet 2010
The traditional Haukelirennet had to be shortened from it’s original distance of 32km to only 8 km due to strong winds and snowfall. Marit Bjoergen won the ladies race ahead ofAstrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen who was 1:53 back. Tona Dalenclaimed took 3rd place with a big gap of 4:33. Bjoergen was pleased with her victory, telling Langrenn.com, “Last year we had fantastic weather, today there were tough conditions and a real winter weather.”
Sjur Røthe won on the men’s event ahead of Torgeir Skare Thygesen. The big favorite, Anders Aukland, had to be happy with 3rd, just 3 seconds back. International participation of Switzerland’s Curdin Perl was expected but due to the air travel lockdown he could not appear at the start.
Complete results here.
Source: FIS
Södergren Bests Elite Field in Fjalltopploppet
Anders Södergren (SWE) won the 26th annual Fjalltopploppet in Bruskvallarna, Sweden. Södergren skied to a comfortable margin of more than one minute ahead of countryman Daniel Rickardsson. Petter Northug finished third, 2:44.7 back. Martin Koukal of the Czech Republic was 4th.
On the ladies side Emma Wikén captured the top spot, edging Lina Korsgren at the line. Tuva Toftdahl was third. Norwegian Olympian Marthe Kristoffersen finished 5th.
Oestensen and Bo Win Bysprinten
Simen Oestensen bested John Kristian Dahl in the annual Bysprinten sprint race. Swede Robin Bryntesson took 3rd in a strong international field.
Kjersti Bo edged out the retiring Anna Olsson in the women’s race with Elise Aunet Tyldum in 3rd.