January 27, 2010 (Hinterzarten, Germany) – With a blistering pace, Krista Lahteenmaki of Finland won herself a gold medal in the FIS Junior Nordic World Championships 5km classic with a time of 13:33.9 over of Norway’s Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg at 2.9 seconds with Hanna Brodin (SWE), winner of Monday’s sprints, in third at 4 seconds,

Three Americans made it into the top 30, led by Caitlin Patterson in 17th, Sophie Caldwell in 24th, and Anne Hart in 27th. Adele Espy, whose training was interrupted by compartment syndrome surgery this summer, was 51st. Dahria Beatty was the top Canadian in 25th, with Rebecca Reid in 31st, Marlis Kromm in 50th and Heidi Widmer, the top Canadian in Monday’s sprints, finishing 62nd.

The FIS Junior Nordic Worlds continue on January 29th with the men’s 20km and women’s 10km Pursuit races.

Results (brief)

1. Krista Lahteenmaki (FIN) 13:33.9
2. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR) +2.9
3. Hanna Brodin (SWE) +4.0
4. Lisa Larsen (SWE) +27.1
5. Anna Scherbinina (RUS) +29.7

17. Caitlin Patterson (USA) +1:01.0
24. Sophie Caldwell (USA) +1:12.6
25. Dahria Beatty (CAN) +1:13.1
27. Anne Hart (USA) +1:14.6
31. Rebecca Reid (CAN) 1:28.1
50. Marlis Kromm (CAN) +1:50.8
51. Adele Espy (USA) +1:55.9
62. Heidi Widmer (CAN) +2:21.1