April 30, 2011 (Ustaoset, Norway) – Jean Marc Gaillard (FRA) won the 38km Skarverennet on Saturday edging out Norwegians Chris Jespersen in second with Frode Andresen landing on the podium in third following a tight race to the finish. Gaillard’s margin was a mere 0.01 second at the line.

Norway’s Therese Johaug had a much easier time taking the women’s race by 7 minutes over compatriots Marit Bjoergen and Martine Ek Hagen. Warm conditions made for soft snow and challenging course conditions. “We could have raced in bikinis,” Johaug, who was 5th overall, told Norwegian TV station NRK.

The new pursuit-style race saw the women start first and the men 12 minutes later. Johaug established a strong lead and looked like she might run away with the overall win but she was caught with about 7km to go by Espen Harald Bjerke, Andresen,  Jespersen and Gaillard. Bjerke was dropped as they approached Ustaoset with Gaillard battling to the finish with the two Norwegians for the victory. “It was a fantastic experience,” Gaillard commented on NRK after the race.

The 38km Skarverennet, staged by the Geilo IL ski club, runs from Finse to Ustaoset and signals the end of the cross-country season.

Full results HERE.

Results (brief)

Men

1. Jean Marc Gaillard, France 1:44:07
2. Chris Jespersen, Byåsen IL/Team Manpower 1:44:08
3. Frode Andresen, Hønefoss SK 1:44:08
4. Espen Harald Bjerke, Lillehammer skiklubb 1:44:55
5. Emanuel Jonniere, France 1:49:51
6. Vincent Vittoz, France 1:49:51
7. Remi Andersen, Bækkelagets Spk 1:50:46
8. Petter Eliassen, Byåsen 1:51:25
9. Cristophe Perrialt, France 1:52:0
10. Kristian Tettlie Rennemo, Leksvika 1:52:53

Women

1. Therese Johaug, Nansen IF 2:00:33
2. Marit Bjørgen, Rognes IL 2:07:31
3. Martine Ek Hagen, BUL IL 2:10:03
4. Astrid Øyre Slind, Oppdal 2:10:30
5. Silje Øyre Slind, Oppdal 2:12:20
6. Marte Monrad Hansen, 2:12:28
7. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, Heming IL 2:12:51
8. Marthe Katrine Myhre, Gjøvik Skiklubb 2:15:03
9. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, Gjøvik Skiklubb 2:15:19
10. Ragnhild Haga, Heming IL 2:15:45

With files from FIS XC, Langrenn.com, Skarverennet