9000 spectators watched Petra Majdic of Slovenia win her seventh World Cup race in 2009 today in a 1.4KM classic sprint in Granasen Ski Stadium in Trondheim, Norway. The intimidatingly tall 29 year old Majdic beat Alena Prochazkova of Slovakia in a photo finish while double world champion Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland took third.
Never lacking a positive reaction, Petra reflects on the day: “I’m really happy – it is nearly unbelievable – the seventh victory in this season. In the qualification I didn’t felt so well but from each heat it went better. The semi final was a tough fight against Justyna but I am now happy with my victory and enjoy the day. The yellow color fit’s me well and I will fight for it but it will be tough. Also the 30 km with intermediate sprints will be tough.” For more Majdic charm, click here.
After losing in the photo finish to Majdic, Alena Prochazkova was also happy with her performance today. “I’m satisfied with my race. The second place is a great result. I hope I can continue on a good level and racing as well in Stockholm among the 10th best.”
Aino Kaisa Saarinen of Finland took fourth, and the very same Italian Arianna Follis who won gold in front of Kikkan Randall at World Championships in Liberec, took fourth. Nine different nations took the top nine spots today while the ambient temp hovered just over freezing with new snow accumulating throughout.
Petra Majdic leads both the sprint and overall World Cup Standings, now all of 111 points in front of Justyna Kowalczyk for the overall title. Aino Kaisa Saarinen is just three points out of second in third place.
Justyna Kowalczyk comments, “The podium place in today’s sprint race is great. I didn’t expect that. There is a lot of pressure at me in the moment in Poland due to my good results. Currently my focus is on the distance World Cup and not on the overall World Cup. I think Petra will try to keep it ;-)”
