January 22, 2010 (Rybinsk, Russia) – Vesna Fabjan of Slovenia took the first place in the women’s FIS XC World Cup 1.3km Freestyle Sprint in Rybinsk. Magda Genuin (ITA) came second and Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) finished third. Germany was just off the podium, with Claudia Nystad 4th, at +4.3 and Miriam Goessner 5th, +10.2. No Canadian or US skiers competed in the small field of only 34 women.

In the men’s competition Canada qualified two skiers in the top 30 – Sean Crooks was 22nd, at +6.82seconds, and Brent McMurtry was 28th, +8.54. Phil Widmer finished just out outside in 32nd,at +8.86seconds, 32/100ths of a second behind McMurtry while Graham Nishikawa was 34th, at +9.73. No American men competed.

The sprint course design – one uphill, one long downhill, and a long straight finish – required cat-and-mouse tactics in the heats. The men’s A final was completely controlled by the Russian men as Nikolay Morilov claimed victory, Alexei Petukhov finished second and Nikita Kriukov took third place. Widmer and McMurtry battled through the quarterfinals, to finish 26th and 29th respectively for the day.

This is the fourth time the World Cup has come to Rybinsk. Jürg Capol, FIS Cross-Country Race Director, says the facilities are some of the best on the circuit, with athletes staying in the Sports Hotel that’s only 50m from the finish line.

Tomorrow’s events will be the women’s 15km and men’s 30km Pursuit.

Women’s qualifications here.
Men’s qualifications here.

Women’s full results here.
Men’s full results here.

Results (brief)

Women
1. Vesna Fabjan (SLO) 2:52.9
2. Magda Genuin (ITA) +0.1
3. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) +1.4
4. Claudia Nystad (GER) +4.3
5. Miriam Goessner (GER) +10.2
6. Katja Visnar (SL) +19.1

Men
1. Nikolay Morilov (RUS) 2:37.7
2. Alexei Petukhov (RUS) +0.3
3. Nikita Kriukov (RUS) +0.3
4. Cristian Zorzi (ITA) +0.9
5. Michael Devjatiarov (RUS) +2.2
6. Josef Wenzl (GER) +20.2

26. Sean Crooks (CAN)
29. Brent McMurtry (CAN)
32. Phil Widmer (CAN)
34. Graham Nishikawa (CAN)