November 27, 2010 (Kuusamo, Finland) – Norway’s queen of the 2010 Olympics, Marit Bjoergen, is showing no signs of letting up as she skied to another victory in the women’s classic 5km, round two of the mini-tour in Kuusamo, over rival Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) only 2 seconds back and Slovenia’s Petra Majdic in third at 17s. The USA’s Kikkan Randall had a solid day placing 17th at 48.1 seconds behind Bjoergen – it was Randall’s career best non-sprint classic World Cup. Ida Sargent lead the rest North Americans another 30s behind Randall in 45th followed by Canada’s Daria Gaiazova in 46th, Chandra Crawford in 67th, Liz Stephen in 72nd, and Morgan Arritola in 75th. It was even colder than Friday in Kuusamo as frigid and windy conditions made it even tougher on all competitors.

“Today was a much more satisfying race than yesterday’s sprint and overall I am very happy with the result,” said Randall. “I skied aggressive from the start and felt strong over the whole course. I had a couple slips on a crucial hill around 3km that disrupted my rhythm and cost me a few seconds. I feel like I’ve reached a new level in my distance racing and it’s fun to feel like I’m actually in the hunt. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s skate race with the handicap start. Racing head-to-head always helps me find another gear.”

In the men’s 10km classic race, it was Swiss star Dario Cologna who grabbed the victory. The 2010 Olympic gold medallist in the 15km freestyle event showed that he is world-class in either discipline, winning by 6.7s over second place, Alexander Legkov (RUS). Daniel Rickardsson (SWE) pulled into third spot, 7.5s behind Cologna. The US team’s Kris Freeman (USA) powered to the best North American result with an impressive seventh place finish, less than 20s off the podium. Alex Harvey, the top Canadian skier, took 17th place while Devon Kershaw was a little further back in 22nd.

Freeman is demonstrating good fitness and his lacklustre sprint result on Saturday had him starting early on 10km classic. He worked his way through the field and on the second lap had second fastest lap time of the day, just one second behind Legov.

“I started early today,” said Freeman, “But I was lucky to have guys like Lukas Bauer and Angerer just in front of me. I had a great second lap and moved way up. I feel like I am rested, stable and ready to race, We are monitoring everything and I am happy with this strong start to the season.” It was the Andover, NH skier’s second straight top-10 WCup result. With his strong classic race today Freeman is starting 13th in Sunday’s 15km handicap pursuit race – another top 10 is on the horizon and with a strong race on Sunday he could even contend for the mini-tour podium.

Harvey is the best-placed North American for Sunday’s 15km handicap as his sprint and 10km results have him starting in 4th nearly 22 seconds back of the leaders – he’s clearly within striking distance of the mini-tour podium.

“It was really cold today and my toes were so frozen I couldn’t feel my feet,” said Harvey, who made his Olympic debut in 2010. “Usually I am conservative at the start, but I switched things up today and tried to go hard and stay with the top-five. I paid the price in the last five-kilometres, but I am still happy that I can contend with the best right off the gun. I know I’m far from my top shape so this is a good sign.”

“I’m currently in fourth overall in the mini-tour so I’m excited for tomorrow,” added Harvey. “It is a pursuit tomorrow so I’ll be doing everything to chase the guys in front of me and stay ahead of those behind.”

Sudbury’s Kershaw, starting in 16th will also be in the hunt for the podium in Sunday’s final race. The two-time Olympian posted another solid result in a deep field in the 10km classic.

Women’s 5km classic full results HERE.
Men’s 10km classic full results HERE.

Women’s 10km Handicap pursuit start list HERE.
Men’s 15km Handicap pursuit start list HERE.

Results (brief)

Women
1. Marit Bjoergen (NOR) 12:51.9
2. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) +2.18
3. Petra Majdic (SLO) +17.4
4. Yulia Tchekaleva (RUS) +20.73
5. Nicole Fessel (GER) +22.5

17. Kikkan Randall (USA) +48.1
45. Ida Sargent (USA) +1:19.7
46. Daria Gaiazova (CAN) +1:20.3
67. Chandra Crawford (CAN) +1:41.8
72. Elizabeth Stephen (USA) +1:48.9
75. Morgan Arritola (USA) +1:49.3

Men
1. Dario Cologna (SUI) 23:24.8
2. Alexander Legkov (RUS) +6.7
3. Daniel Rickardsson (SWE) +7.5
4. Eldar Roenning (NOR) +12.4
5. Axel Teichmann (GER) +18.0

7. Kris Freeman (USA) +24.0
17. Alex Harvey (CAN) +43.6
22. Devon Kershaw (CAN) +48.8
66. Noah Hoffman (USA) +1:36.8
69. Brent McMurtry (CAN) +1:39.4
71. Stefan Kuhn (CAN) +1:41.8
73. Simeon Hamilton (USA) +1:45.3
79. George Grey (CAN) +1:50.5
83. Ivan Babikov (CAN) +1:55.5
89. Andrew Newell (USA) +2:07.8
104. Chris Cook (USA) +2:56.3
DNS Len Valjas (CAN)