April 29, 2009 – The Nordic media representatives within the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) have again selected the “King of Nordic Skiing” and the “Biathlete of the Year”. With a great majority, Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer was voted as the “2009 Nordic King” while Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (NOR) received the respective biathlon honor.

The season’s record jumper Schlierenzauer received a total of 405 votes from the specialist journalists and finished clearly ahead of the World Cup and Tour de Ski winner, Dario Cologna (SUI) with 244 votes. Three-time world champion Petter Northug (NOR) took 3rd with 218 votes, just ahead of the best female skier Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) who received 212 votes and finished 4th.