March 16, 2013 (Oslo, Norway) – With the Sochi Games around the corner, Alexander Legkov gave Russia one of its most prestigious wins as he powered to victory on the final climb into the famed Holmenkollen stadium to claim the Men’s 50km FR crown. Norway’s  Martin Johnsrud Sundby took second while Ilia Chernousov (RUS) recovered to grab the final podium spot giving Russia more shine at this signature race as the 2012-13 season comes to a close.

Petter Northug (NOR) was contending early on but at the halfway point of the 6×8.3km race was sitting 25th. The USA’s Noah Hoffman, who had been looking strong at the front for much of the first half of the race, was then in 30th with Canada’s Alex Harvey, Devon Kershaw and Ivan Babikov all just behind him, followed by American Kris Freeman in 39th.

An early break by Anders Soedergren (SWE) and Simen Andreas Sveen (NOR) created a little scare in the group but they were caught at the 11.3km mark. Switzerland’s Curdin Perl, Remo Fischer and Michail Semenov (CZE) caused a second scare when they didn’t change skis at the 16.2km mark and gained a 28-second lead. But Legkov and Norway’s Sjur Roethe brought back the pack.

It was until after the half way mark that a serious 7-skier break lead by Sundby formed at 27.9km including World Cup leader Dario Cologna (SUI). Northug fought back from 25th to catch back on by the ski change at 33.3km with help from teammate Tord Asle Gjerndalen.

Italy’s Roland Clara was looking strong as he and Legkov pushed the pace soon dropping Northug and Cologna, who had been sick prior the race and was now suffering as well. The chasing pack with the North Americans was fast falling out of contention.

A lead group of five with two Norwegians, two Russians and Clara forged ahead at 36.3km almost seeming to give Northug a second chance for a short time, but when Legkov got wind of the Norwegian’s troubles behind he upped the pace with Clara. With one lap to go Norway’s Petter Eliassen and Sundby took to the front but they were dogged by Legkov and Clara as the chasers tried in vain to bridge while Chernousov began to suffer with the pace.

On the final climb into the stadium Legkov knew where he wanted to be on the inside lane passing Sundby and Eliassen forming a gap that he carried over the roller into the finishing lanes to claim the victory for Russia over Sundby in second as Chernousov  regrouped to claim third.

Legkov adds this huge victory to his Tour de Ski win and takes over the World Cup overall lead (1,233) from Cologna who is now third (1,218) behind Northug in second (1,231) – only 15 points separate the top three.

Hoffman regained some form moving up to finish 24th as the top North American for a solid day at the office followed by a stronger looking Kershaw, who has struggled this season, but had a decent day finishing in the points in 29th. Hoffman skied smart to claim bonus points moving into into 47th overall in the World Cup standings to advance to the finals in Stockholm and Falun, Sweden (at the start he in 51st just outside of the cutoff point for the finals).

“Big day for Noah Hoffman. He needed some points in order to move into the World Cup top 50 and make the World Cup Finals. So he set out on a mission to grab those sprint bonus points and he did it, going through the bonus in fourth, fourth, and sixth on the first  3 laps. Now he is 47th overall and headed to Sweden for finals. He continues to demonstrate that he can ski with the best men in the World, and each race he gets a bit more comfortable doing it,” commented Chris Grover, US Cross Country Head Coach.

Canadian Ivan Babikov was 33rd, Freeman finished 36th, Tad Elliott (USA) was 53rd, Graeme Killick (CAN) was 55th, Michael Somppi (CAN) placed 57th and Bill Demong (USA) was 58th. Canadians Jesse Cockney and Alex Harvey did not finish.

“At the start I didn’t know what to expect, I was sick full week before that,” Babikov told Trax post-race. “Conditions were very with fresh, dry snow over night but the pace was very fast from the start (at least it felt like that), and I didn’t feel comfortable at the beginning.

“I tried to stay with the pack for as long as I could but at the end of the 4th lap my legs started cramping pretty bad, so I had to slow down to be able to finish the race. It’s hard to say at this moment but after being sick I just wish to get back in that racing shape that I had in early season and hopefully score some points in Falun and stay in top 20 overall.” (Babikov is currently 16th overall)

“It was a rough day unfortunately,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “We had some problems with our skis and they were a bit on the slow side today. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose in the game of ski selection and preparation. Everyone was really focused and ready to go to so there was no issue in being mentally and physically ready. Sometimes it is frustrating when the bodies feel good, but you just don’t get the result.”

Full results HERE.
World Cup standings HERE.