February 5, 2009 (Praz de Lys Sommand, France) – On Thursday at the 2009 World Junior XC Championships the Russian men dominated the 10km race taking the top four places. Petr Sedov won in a time of 23:53.6, a full 32 seconds ahead of Andrey Kalsin. In third was Pavel Vikulin just 7 seconds from second place. Noah Hoffman of the USA was the top North American finisher in 14th place 1:31 seconds back from the lead. Patrick Johnson of the USA was 19th. David Greer was Canada’s top finisher in 24th, just 0.1 ahead of teammate Graeme Killick.

In a very tight women’s 5km race the Scandinavians took the top 5 places. In first was Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg of Norway in a time of 13:44.4. In second was Sweden’s Lisa Larsen 3.7 seconds from the lead. In third was Hilde Lauvhaug of Norway only 6.1 seconds off Oestberg’s time. Only 18.9 seconds separated the top 5 women. Sadie Bjornsen of the USA was again the top North American finisher in 19th place 1:04 back from the lead. Marlis Kromm of Canada was 41st.

The team relay event goes tomorrow and will wrap up this years World Junior Championships.

Complete men’s results here
Complete women’s results here

Results (brief)

Men
Petra Sedov (Rus) 23:53.6
Andrey Kalsin (Rus) 24:26.2
Pavel Vikulin (Rus) 24:33.3
Paul Shakirzianov (Rus) 24:43.4
Thomas Bing (Rus) 24:45.5

14. Noah Hoffman (USA) 25:24.7
19. Patrick Johnson (USA) 25:36.6
24. David Greer (Can) 25:42.6
25. Graeme Killick (Can) 25:42.7
31. Ghislain De Laplante (Can) 26:04.8
43. Alexander Treinen (USA) 26:33.7
59. George Cartwright (USA) 27:13.7
66. Julien Nury (Can) 27:26.8


Women
1. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (Nor) 13:44.4
2. Lisa Larsen (Swe) 13:48.1
3. Hilde Lauvhaug (Nor) 13:50.5
4. Krista Lahteenmaki (Fin) 13:53.6
5. Hanna Brodin (Swe) 14:03.3

29. Sadie Bjornsen (USA) 15:03.1
39. Adele Espy (USA) 15:19.5
41. Marlis Kromm (Can) 15:22.6
51. Janelle Greer (Can) 15:30.5
52. Lauriane Ouellet (Can) 15:32.8
59. Jessica Diggins (USA) 15:48.5
63. Heidi Widmer (Can) 16:04.4
64. Amy Glen (USA) 16:08.5