January 4, 2010 (Prague, CZE) – Russia’s Natalia Korosteleva put in strong performances for a well-earned win in the women’s 1.2km freestyle Sprint final on Stage 4 at the Tour de Ski while Emil Joensson (SWE) made good following yesterday’s crash in the final at Oberhof, to score the men’s sprint final. The USA’s Andy Newell raced well to move up and make the A final placing 6th – next stop for Newell is the podium.

Korosteleva overcame a fall in the quarter finals to advance and in the final she waited for the right moment to attack. The young Norwegian, Celine Brun-Lie, tried everything she could to hold her off, but the Russian would not be denied and went on to the first win of her career. Elena Prochazkova of Slovakia was 3rd. Petra Majdic (SLO) won the B-final.

Making it to the quarter finals with solid performances were Canada’s Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw finishing 19th and 21st respectively. Joensson’s team mate Marcus Hellner was 2nd, and Simen Oestensen (NOR) was 3rd.

Ainno Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) now leads the women overall followed by Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) in second and Majdic in 3rd. Sara Renner (CAN) who did not advance today is in 29th overall.

Joensson and Hellner are the 1-2 leaders in the men’s overall standings. Kershaw sits in 11th overall, Harvey is 23rd, Newell is 27th, Ivan Babikov (CAN) is 36th, and George Gray (CAN) is 55th overall.

Tuesday, Jan. 5 is a rest day and then the TdS resumes with a 30km point-to-point freestyle pursuit race in Toblach/Dobiacco, Italy.

Qualifications
Slovenian team mates Vesna Fabjan and Petra Majdic were one-two on Monday’s in the women’s 1.2km Sprint Freestyle Qualifications in Prague, CZE at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski. Natalia Korosteleva (RUS) rounded out the top 3, with series leader Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) right behind her.

Some big names were surprise non-qualifiers including Kristin Stoermer Steira and and Therese Johaug from Norway, Russians Olga Savialova, Olga Rotcheva, and Evgenia Medvedeva, Valentina Shevchenko (UKR) and Canada’s Sara Renner. With the recent withdrawals of some top skiers Virpi Kuitunen (FIN), Germany’s Claudia Nystad, Manuela Henkel and Switzerland’s Seraina Mischol and Doris Trachsel this evenings heats will be open to some new faces. There’s a bonus of 60 seconds awarded to the winner of today’s stage.

Emil Joensson (SWE) by 1/100th led the men’s Freestyle Sprint Qualifier in Prague this evening, over Martin Koukal (CZE). Joensson was not pleased with his race yesterday in Oberhof following his crash in the final with Ivan Alypov (RUS) and came back with a vengeance today – likely a final hurrah before he pulls out of the Tour. In third was Ivan Alypov (RUS), who is at the center of some controversy regarding yesterday’s sprint final clash with Joensson.

Andy Newell (USA) is sitting in 6th, and Canadians Devon Kershaw 8th, Alex Harvey 20th both qualified – but George Grey in 47th, and Ivan Babikov in 67th did not advance.

More surprises of the day was TdS leader Petter Northug (NOR) – second in Oberhof on Sunday behind team mate Eldar Roenning – missed the top 30 and failed to qualify for the heats. Also not advancing are [Tobias] Angerer, [Axel] Teichmann, [Alex] Legkov, [Sami] Jauhojaervi, [Matti] Heikkinen, Piller-Cottrer, Shiriaev, Bauer – both [Jen] Filbrich and [Rene] Sommerfledt have withdrawn from the Tour.

Women’s 1.2km Freestyle Sprint Qualifications here.
Men’s 1.2km Freestyle Sprint Qualifications here.

Women’s Sprint final full resultshere.
Men’s Sprint final full results here.

Women’s TdS Sprint Standings after Stage 4 here.
Men’s TdS Sprint Standings after Stage 4 here.

Women’s TdS Overall after Stage 4 here.
Men’s TdS Overall after Stage 4 here.

Results

Women

1. Natalia Korosteleva (RUS)
2. Celine Brun-Lie (NOR)
3. Alena Prochazkova (SVK)
4. Arianna Follis (ITA)
5. Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN)
6. Vesna Fabjan (SLO)

Men

1. Emil Joensson (SWE)
2. Marcus Hellner (SWE)
3. Simen Oestensen (NOR)
4. Dusan Kozisek (CZE)
5. Teodor Peterson (SWE)
6. Andrew Newell (USA)

Qualifications (brief)

Women

1. Vesna Fabjan (SLO) 2:54.72
2. Petra Majdic (SLO) +0.69
3. Natalia Korosteleva (RUS) +2.11
4. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) +2.46
5. Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN) +3.72

64. Sara Renner (CAN) +19.52

Men

1. Emil Joensson (SWE) 2:31.31
2. Martin Koukal (CZE) +0.01
3. Ivan Alypov (RUS) +2.34
4. Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS) +2.78
5. Giorgio DiCenta (ITA) +2.83

6. Andy Newell (USA) +2.91
8. Devon Kershaw (CAN) +3.16
20. Alex Harvey (CAN) +5.05
47. George Grey (CAN) 8.36
87. Ivan Babikov (CAN) +12.21