December 29, 2007 (Prague, Czech Republic) – Italian star Arianna Follis and unheralded Russian Nikolay Morilov won the first sprints of the 2008 Tour de Ski Sunday but Marit Bjoergen of Norway took over the women’s overall lead by 9.4 seconds after three events in the Tour.

Follis led the qualifying round of the skating sprint, which went over a 450-metre track set in the middle of Prague’s Old Town area, and went through the final heats for the victory. Second place went to Finn Pirjo (Manninen) Muranen with Bjoergen third.

“It has been a long day, but I’m satisfied. I didn’t have a good start but got better and better,” Bjoergen said.

“My goal was to beat [Poland’s Justyna] Kowalczyk and I did. Follis was very strong today so I’m very satisfied. Maybe Follis and I can do a good job together in the next race and gain lots of seconds,” the leader said.

After three events, Bjoergen – who has been fourth, third and third again – has a time of 36:25.6 to 36:35.0 for Follis. Kowalczyk is third, 22.0 seconds back of Bjoergen and defending champion Virpi Kuitunen of Finland is fourth.

Follis added, “My tactic today was to try to start first and to go on ’til the finish. I don’t think I’m one of the favourites for the Tour, it is so long and today is only the third day. There are many days left. I think my chances to beat Kuitunen are small.”

In the men’s sprint, veteran Tor Arne Hetland of Norway led the qualifying but had to settle for third place behind Morilov, who has just over a dozen World Cup starts. Simen Oestensen of Norway was second and took the men’s overall lead. Devon Kershaw of Canada, who qualified fifth but then snapped a ski pole in the quarterfinals, wound up 27th with Dave Nighbor 64th.

“I was carrying a tonne of speed and was moving through the pack when I caught my pole between my legs and the next thing I knew I was kissing snow,” said Kershaw. “I am extremely disappointed. Qualifying fifth doesn’t mean anything. It gets you into the top 30 [for the finals heats] where the real race begins, and when you fall you’re toast…

“I know the speed is there now and I’m consistent, which is good,” said Kershaw, who relied on teammate and friend Dave Nighbor to help put this race behind him. “Nighbor and I went for a good walk after the race and I have parked this race and am going to relax. The quicker I regroup, the less energy I’ll waste and the more I’ll have for the next five races. I am really fired up to race again on Tuesday.”

Heading into Monday’s day off, Oestensen has a total time of 47:27.2, putting him 12.1 seconds up on Czech Lukas Bauer, who won the first two stages of the Tour with Hetland lurking in third place, just 14.9 seconds off the pace. Kershaw is in 16th place, 62 seconds back.

Oestensen, referring to the fact there is neither an Olympics or World Championships this season, said, “The Tour de Ski is the biggest competition this year, so it’s really fun to manage to take the golden bib. When Bauer didn’t make it to the quarterfinals, I realized that it was possible.

“Tomorrow I will train in the morning, otherwise just relax as much as possible, watch a movie and enjoy the day,” he said. “We will probably have a calm New Year’s Eve. I think that one reason to why Norway has a strong team is that we are well prepared and that we have a good spirit within the team. We have fun and I think that is important.”

After an off day on Monday, the second edition of the Tour resumes New Year’s Day with the start of two days of distance racing – skate races (men’s 15km and women’s 10km) Tuesday, followed by classic technique races over the same distances Wednesday. No U.S. athletes are competing.

There were a couple of notable withdrawals Sunday from the Tour – former pursuit world champion Vincent Vittoz of France and Norway’s Johan Kjoelstad. They both failed to start the qualifying round.

Full Women’s results.

Full Men’s results.