The Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski winner Virpi Kuitunen (FIN) could celebrate today her 6th World Cup victory (incl. the Tour de Ski) in this season in the today’s 10 km Individual start in the free technique in Davos (SUI).
Kuitunen took the victory in a time of 24:40,4. On second position follows the Russian Olga Savialova, 11.9 seconds behind. She was very strong in the first part of the race and lost her lead on the second part of this race. The third place took the World Cup winner from 2005/2006 Marit Bjoergen (NOR), 17.7 seconds behind Kuitunen. On fourth place finished the favourite from Czech Republic, Katerina Neumannova (18.3 seconds behind).
For the 34-year-old Savialova it was 13th podium place in her long career. Marit Bjoergen could celebrate already her 6th podium place in this season.
In the overall World Cup ranking, Virpi Kuitunen is clearly in the lead with 1197 points ahead of Marit Bjoergen with 756 points followed by Katerina Neumannova (602 points).
In the Distance World Cup is leading also Kuitunen (545 points) followed by Neumannova (375 points) and Kuitunen’s team-mate Riitta Liisa Roponen, who finished today on place 15.
Number of participants/ participating nations: 52 ladies/ 16 nations
Weather: sunny, -2°C
Snow Conditions: hard packed
Special remarks:
Course: Height difference: 58m; Maximum climb: 37m; Total climb: 357m, Length of laps: 3300m;
Quotes:
Virpi Kuitunen (FIN): “I like Davos and the tough tracks here – they are made for me. I’m very satisfied to won this race especially it is not my favorite style. For the preparation to Sapporo we will go from here to Livigno. But me personal preparation is ‘to sleep’ — that I will be well recovered for the World Championships. After the World Championships I have to confirm the World Cup leading — the decision about the yellow bib is not done.â€
Olga Savialova (RUS): “I’m happy to won the second podium place this season. That is unusual for me. I think that I’m at the moment not in a top shape but I have still some time to prepare for it. We will go this week to Armenia for that preparation. In Sapporo I will compete only in the distance races.â€
Marit Bjoergen (NOR): “I’m satisfied to reach the podium today because I had some problems in the last time. So now I could looking forward to Sapporo in a positive way — I’m now in a good shape. We were in the last week in Livigno and now we will go tomorrow to Seiser Alm (ITA) for the last training camp. After three day’s at home we will than travel to Sapporo — I will not compete in the World Cup races in China. At the World Championships I try to compete in all races and hope for good results. The fight for the yellow bib after the World Championships would be hard because Virpi is so strong, but I will try my best.
For complete results:
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?cal_suchsector=CC&event_id=20776
