December 31, 2008 (Nove Mesto, Czech) – After the Stage 2 sprint event days ago in Prague, Czech Republic the Tour de Ski moved on to Nove Mesto, where athletes competed in the 10km and 15km interval start classic race on Wednesday. Axel Teichmann (Ger) was back on top claiming victory in men’s 15km race while Virpi Kuitunen (Fin) won the women’s 10km.

With her win Kuitunen moves back into the leader’s jersey in the TdS overall standings, while Switzerland’s Dario Cologna retains the overall lead in the men’s division despite finishing in 15th place today. Only one minute separates the top eight skiers in the men’s overall.

“I’m happy with this important result on the Tour, the goal was to not lose too much time. I am also very satisfied with still being in the overall lead at the Tour de Ski. I’m always fast at the start and had a good feeling, I was a little bit tired at the finish,” stated Cologna in a post-race interview. “We will have a little gathering tonight together with the other teams at the hotel, but I will probably not be in bed too late.”

Behind Teichmann’s winning time of 39:03.7 today was Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby by only 5 seconds. In third was Nikolay Chebotko of Kazakstan 11 seconds back. Last year’s TdS champion Lukas Bauer (Cze) was 5th today just 14 seconds off the lead. Canada’s Devon Kershaw was 14th today moving him up to 8th overall while fellow Canuck, Ivan Babikov, was 25th, with George Grey 49th.

“I felt very comfortable today and I am very happy with this victory. I am looking forward for tomorrow’s sprint race, my goal for the sprint is to reach the finals to get some bonus seconds for the overall lead in Tour de Ski,” said Teichmann.

Kuitunen’s winning time of 24:45.4 was well ahead of teammate Aino-Kaisa Saarinen by 37.6 seconds. In third was Norway’s super star Marit Bjoergen. Canada’s Sara Renner put in another solid performance finishing 11th and now sits in 13th overall.

“This was a good day for me, it is not often when you can have a day like this. It was pure joy from the beginning to the end. It was a long day for me because of the men’s race starting first, I had to kill the time with eating, eating again, reading some magazines and sleep to not think so much. From the start I felt great, I could use all the power to just glide and enjoy, the tracks were super and the audience was great,” said Kuitunen. “Tonight we will have a small party at the hotel. I really hope that I can do better tomorrow in the sprint and the other stages. I hope I can skate well tomorrow and get as many bonus seconds as possible.”

Men’s 15 km Classic results here
Women’s 10km Classic results here

Men’s Overall Standings here
Women’s Overall Standings here

Results (brief)

Men

1. Axel Teichmann (Ger) 39:03.7
2. Martin Johnsrud Sundby (Nor) 39:08.7
3. Nikolay Chebotko (Kaz) 39.14.2
4. Jaak Mae (Est) 39.15.0
5. Lukas Bauer (Cze) 39:17.1

14. Devon Kershaw (Can) 39:32.3
25. Ivan Babikov (Can) 40:01.2
49. George Grey (Can) 41:17.8

Women

1. Virpi Kuitunen (Fin) 24:45.4
2. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (Fin) 25:23.0
3. Marit Bjoergren (Nor) 25:35.3
4. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) 25:40.5
5. Petra Majdic (Slo) 25:44.9

11. Sara Renner (Can) 26:21.7

Overall

Men

1. Dario Cologna (Sui) 1:24:36.9
2. Vassili Rotchev (Rus) +16.3
3. Axel Teichmann (Ger) +16.5
4. Eldar Roenning (Nor) +20.9
5. Martin Johnsrud Sundby (Nor) +47.9

8. Devon Kershaw (Can) +55.0
32. Ivan Babikov (Can) +2:09.1
42. Georgo Grey (Can) +3:38.9

Women

1. Virpi Kuitunen (Fin) 57:49.3
2. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (Fin) +5.6
3. Marit Bjoergen (Nor) +23.0
4. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) +47.3
5. Petra Majdic (Slo) +54.0

13. Sara Renner (Can) +2:41.8