March 20, 2013 (Stockholm, Sweden) – The final World Cup sprint of the season unfolded on a sunny and cold but windy day as Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk delivered a majestic performance in front of Stockholm’s Royal Palace to claim her 3rd classic Sprint victory this year. Marit Bjoergen (NOR) settled for second while Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen was able to recover some Finnish pride taking 3rd.

Kowalczyk on her way to victory © Nordic Focus

The final sprint saw the official crowning of the USA’s Kikkan Randall, 22nd on the day, as the women’s Sprint Cup winner defending her title along with Sweden’s Emil Joensson (7th today) who defended the men’s overall crown as well. Both had locked up the title in Lahti, Finland, and received their Globes from Sweden’s king following today’s race action.

Sprint Cup winners Randall (l) and Joenssen © Nordic Focus

With three Finns in the Stockholm final it looked like anything was possible as Anne Kylloenen took to the front with Mona-Lisa Malvalehto in second. But in trademark style Kowalczyk powered to take the lead as the skiers crested the first climb and headed into the first sharp right corner.

Kylloenen goes down in the corner...

It was there that disaster struck the Finns as suddenly Kylloenen went down almost taking down Bjoergen but Malvalehto who was forced to the outside lane was not so lucky. As Kowalczyk benefited from the mayhem behind and skied to a clear victory Bjoergen took over second place while Niskanen claimed third.

Canada’s Daria Gaiazova was the top North American in 16th following a strong qualification in 4th. The 29-year-old Olympian, who was the lone Canadian woman to qualify, put in a strong quarter final heat skiing at the front for most of the race but with light kick wax relied on her double poling strength and was outnumbered in the finishing lanes in the final push to the line placing 4th.

Daria Gaiazova (CAN) can't wait until next year in Stockholm... © Nordic Focus file photo

“If I could do it over again I would have attacked from the front and tried to breakaway,” said Gaiazova. “The body felt amazing. My skis were fast, but I went light on the kick wax. I had no kick for the uphill, but we thought I’d be much faster in the double poling section. The other girls just had more kick and were stronger than me up the hill. I am happy, but want to come back here next year and get on the podium.”

Kikkan Randall (USA)...the real McCoy © Nordic Focus file photo

American Randall was hoping for better at the final sprint of the season and looked strong in her heat as well but ended up 5th in her race and 22nd on the day. Winning the Sprint Cup again and receiving the crystal Globe added lustre to a mediocre day.

“It felt a little strange to be going up on stage after going out in the quarterfinals today but still a nice recognition for the culmination of the season’s sprint races. I am honored to win the overall sprint title for the second year in a row. When I was injured this fall, I didn’t know if I would be able to be in contention for the globe again this year and I’m so grateful to have recovered and to have been competitive the whole season.

Final Stockholm podium (l-r) Bjoergen 2nd, Kowalczyk 1st, Niskanen 3rd © Nordic Focus

“The feeling of the second one is definitely different than the first. Last year, I felt so wide eyed and giddy. This year feels a little more familiar and a nice validation that last year wasn’t just a fluke,” said Randall.

Randall’s teammates Ida Sargent and Holly Brooks also made the heats but were taken out in their quarter final heats finishing  20th and 27th respectively.

Full results HERE.
Sprint Cup Overall HERE
World Cup Overall HERE.