January 25, 2010 (Hinterzarten, Germany) – It was a foggy day in the Black Forest, but it was golden for Sweden’s Hanna Brodin, and Norway’s Tomas Northug in the the 1.3km Freestyle Sprint, the opening event of the FIS Junior Nordic World Championships. Norway had more reasons to be happy, with Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg and Kari Oeyre Slind completing the podium for the women, and Paal Golberg in second next to Northug – thus garnering four out of the first six medals of the Championships. Italy’s Frederico Pellegrino claimed third for the men, and Gaia Vuerich took fourth for the women.
Northug is indeed Petter’s little brother. He had the second fastest time in the qualifications, and is now a Junior World Champion. Italian Federico Pellegrino was the fastest in the qualifiers but had to settle for bronze in the end. Sweden was out of the medals in the men’s class, and Simon Persson did not start as he had high hemoglobin levels, reported Langd.se.
Canada’s Heidi Widmer was the top North American qualifier in 15th in the women’s race, finishing 22nd, followed by the USA’s Sophie Caldwell in 24th and Jessica Diggins in 26th. American Erik Bjornsen was the only male to advance through the qualifications to finish in 23rd.
The FIS World Championships continue in Hinterzarten tomorrow with the U23 Freestyle Sprints. The Juniors return on Wednesday for the 5/10km Classic events.
Women’s Qualifications here.
Men’s Qualifications here.
Women’s Final Results here.
Men’s Final Results here.
Results (brief)
Women
1. Hanna Brodin (SWE)
2. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR)
3. Kari Oeyre Slind (NOR)
4. Gaia Vuerich (ITA)
5. Krista Lahteenmaki (FIN)
22. Heidi Widmer (CAN)
24. Sophie Caldwell (USA)
26. Jessica Diggins (USA)
Qualifications
15. Heidi Widmer (CAN) Q
18. Jessica Diggins (USA) Q
19. Sophie Caldwell (USA) Q
32. Rebecca Reid (CAN)
37. Marlis Kromm (CAN)
44. Joanne Reid (USA)
54. Dahria Beatty (CAN)
59. Adele Espy (USA)
Men
1. Tomas Northug (NOR)
2. Paal Golberg (NOR)
3. Federico Pellegrino (ITA)
4. Juho Mikkonen (FIN)
5. Dmitriy Ozerskiy (RUS)
6. Enrico Nizzi (ITA)
Quarterfinal
23. Erik Bjornsen (USA)
Qualifications
22. Erik Bjornsen (USA) Q
31. Eric Packer (USA)
36. Tyler Kornfield (USA)
41. Patrick Stewart-Jones (CAN)
43. Andy Shields (CAN)
45. Joey Burton (CAN)