December 10, 2005 – It’s was close to a photo finish, with Canadian fans screaming with excitement as Norway’s Marit Bjoergen slid in just toes ahead of Canada’s Beckie Scott in the women’s 15 km Pursuit. Another Norwegian, Hilde Pedersen, was just back in third.

Bjoergen, wearing the yellow bib as the current World Cup leader, intentionally stayed back in about 5th place for most of the classic leg, but came back in the final stages of the skate leg for the win. Pedersen and Scott played with the lead throughout the race with Scott holding it for much of the skate leg which kept the hometown fans on the edge of their seats.

Bjoergen finished in a time of 42:27.8, with Scott just .3 sec behind, and Pedersen another 2.3 secs back in third (see interview with Hilde Pedersen at skitrax.com, Dec. 10/05).

Bjoergen and Pedersen will head home after racing the sprints tomorrow, while Scott will head to the World Cup at Canmore, Alta. running Dec 17-18. When Scott was asked if the home snow advantage was motivating she replied, “Yes, of course, all along the race course I could hear people cheering me by name, that has never happened before at World Cups. It was wonderful.”

Canada’s Sara Renner placed 12th just 37 sec off the lead, her best ever pursuit result, while fellow Canucks Milaine Theriault finished in 30th and Daria Gaiazova placed 36th.

Top US competitor was Abigail Larson who placed 35th in a time of 46:01, while Rebecca Dussault finished in 39th. Veteran American skier Wendy Wagner did not start.

2005 Viessmann FIS Sovereign Lake World Cup
Women’s 15K Pursuit

Complete Results

1 Bjoergen Marit NOR 42:27.8
2 Scott Beckie CAN 42:28.1
3 Pedersen Hilde G. NOR 42:30.4
4 Sachenbacher Stehle Evi GER 42:31.5
5 Muerer Stemland Kristin NOR 42:33.6
6 Savialova Olga RUS 42:35.3
7 Burukina Elena RUS 42:42.9
8 Jatskaja Oxana KAZ 42:45.8
9 Tchepalova Julija RUS 43:00.1
10 Majdic Petra SLO 43:02.6
11 Kuenzel Claudia GER 43:05.4
12 Renner Sara CAN 43:05.7
13 Malahova Svetlana KAZ 43:14.0
14 Bauer Viola GER 43:20.1
15 Rotcheva Olga RUS 43:35.9
16 Rocheva Olga RUS 43:39.1
17 Philippot Karine FRA 43:45.1
18 Paruzzi Gabriella ITA 43:48.9
19 Boehler Stefanie GER 43:57.3
20 Confortola Antonella ITA 43:58.5
21 Valbusa Sabina ITA 44:13.3
22 Ek Elin SWE 44:15.3
23 Steira Kristin NOR 44:16.3
24 Korosteleva Natalia RUS 44:18.1
25 Skofterud Vibeke W. NOR 44:21.9
26 Ishida Masako JPN 44:26.8
27 Yokoyama Sumiko JPN 44:39.1
28 Gjoemle Ella NOR 44:50.6
29 Kolomina Elena KAZ 44:51.8
30 Theriault Milaine CAN 44:51.9
31 Mischol Seraina SUI 45:05.1
32 Bourgeois Pin Elodie FRA 45:34.7
33 Soneta Chizuru JPN 45:55.6
34 Norgren Britta SWE 45:59.8
35 Larson Abigail USA 46:01.1
36 Gaiazova Daria CAN 46:06.6
37 Leonardi Cortesi Natascia SUI 46:12.5
38 Perrillat Aurelie FRA 46:49.2
39 Dussault Rebecca USA 47:15.0
40 Brumley Clare-Louise AUS 47:21.0
41 Crocker Allison USA 47:24.9
42 Williams Lindsay USA 47:25.5
43 Williams Medeleine CAN 47:34.0
44 Betcherman Tasha CAN 47:41.9
45 Jones Perianne CAN 47:54.1
46 Benedicic Maja SLO 48:35.3
47 Ammar Amanda CAN 48:38.7
48 Whitcomb Kate USA 49:16.8
49 Swanson Shayla CAN 49:33.9
DNF Rochat Laurence SUI
DNF Bjoernaas Kine Beate NOR
DNF Soklic Mirjam SLO
DNF Antonova Elena KAZ