November 21, 2012 With one week to go until the FIS Cross-Country World Cup opener in Gällivare (SWE), most of the national teams have been training in Scandinavia to complete the final phase of the preparations, part of which some FIS competitions took place across Northern Europe last weekend.

Gloeersen (l) nips Roenning in Beitostoelen. © NordicFocus

Norwegian Opening in Beitostoelen

Beitostoelen traditionally hosts the Norwegian National opening. The competition program started already on Friday with 10/15 km free, meanwhile a classical sprint was scheduled on Saturday and Sunday featured the 10/15 km classic races.

Therese Johaug showed to be in great shape as she powered to two wins in individual start competitions on Friday and Saturday, and to a 4th place finish in the sprint. Johaug outclassed her compatriots including the defending World Cup champ Marit Bjoergern and seems to be ready for the first World Cup of the season.

Petter Northug came back to competition after a long break since February 12, 2012. He returned in great style and claimed victory with a clear margin on the first day in Beitostoelen. Anders Gloersen and Maiken Caspersen Falla dominated Saturday’s sprint as Chris Andre Jespersen notched victory in 15 km classic on Sunday.

Swedish Opener in Bruksvallarna

The Swedish Cross-Country squad has been getting ready for the new season this week in its traditional training resort, Bruksvallarna. Over the weekend, three FIS competitions were scheduled there. Daniel Richardsson had the best national opening of his career as he grabbed victory in the first competition of the weekend, 10 km classic. Emma Wikén laid down an excellent performance and surprisingly won the ladies competition over 5 km ahead of Charlotte Kalla.

Free technique competitions over 15 km free for men and 10 km free for ladies on Saturday were under the clear command of Johan Olsson and Charlotte Kalla. The competition program in Bruksvallaran came to an end on Sunday. Two sprint aces and Sprint World Cup winners Emil Joensson and Teodor Peterson were fighting hard for the first sprint victory of the season. It was Peterson who had more power in the final sprint and topped the podium. LADIES WINNER?

Finnish Cup Continues in Muonio

Justyna Kowalczyk received positive feedback from the first competitions she took part in this season in Muonio. The defending FIS Tour de Ski winner scored a hat trick in Finland as she dominated her three starts, the classical sprint, 5 km classic and 10 km free.

Alexey Poltoranin of Kazakhstan had a strong start as well. The Kazakh claimed victory in classical sprint and 10 km classic. Finland’s Matti Heikkinen defended the home colors and dominated the last competition of the weekend, 15 km free. The best Czech skier Lukas Bauer skied well too and notched two second places in the distance competitions.

Pre-World Cup in Gällivare

The organizing committee of Gällivare staged pre-World Cup FIS competitions to check that everything is ready for the grand World Cup season opening. One competition was held on Sunday, November 17 as 10 km F ladies and 15 km F men were on the schedule.

Triple FIS Tour de Ski winner and World Cup champion Dario Cologna won the competition. “Super Dario” edged out Alexander Legkov by 7 seconds and set the new track record on the course at the Hellner stadium. Cologna’s compatriot Curdin Perl took third place.