February 19, 2015 (Falun, SWE) – Marit Bjoergen (NOR) captured the first gold medal of Falun 2015 and into the record books as she powered her way to victory in the women’s 1.4km CL Sprint. Sweden’s Stina Nilsson gave local fans much to cheer about as she challenged Bjoergen in the final settling for a stellar silver at 0.42 back with Maiken Caspersen Falla (Nor) the Sochi 2014 Olympic sprint champ taking the bronze at 0.99 behind.

Women's final podium © Nordic Focus

Bjoergen is now the all-time winningest athlete with 30 medals at either the World Championships (WSC) or Olympics (OWG) and is now one gold medal behind Russia’s Elena Välbe with 13 gold medals in total. She is also the first athlete to win three consecutive gold medals in the same event at the WSC (2011, 2013, 2015).

“I won my first gold in 2003 in the sprint. I am glad I could be 34 years old and winning the sprint gold again. With good shape and good skis, anything is possible. Now I can relax a little more,” said Bjoergen post-race.

Sophie Caldwell (USA) © Nordic Focus

The USA’s Sophie Caldwell skied well, first as the top North American qualifier in 21st, and then advancing to the semis as a Lucky Loser where her day ended a solid 10th overall.

“I’m definitely satisfied. This is my best classic sprint this winter. I was really happy with how the day went. After my injury, I had not counted on seeing myself in the semifinals,” Caldwell told Trax. “I may have taken it out a little hot in my qualifier, but I qualified and that’s all that mattered.

“I felt like I skied my quarter really well and even though I wasn’t in the top two, it was a fast heat and I maintained contact with the leaders and luckily moved forward as Lucky Loser. I got a little tired out in my semi and lost a little uphills but I had fast skis and could advance downhills, but overall very happy with the day.”

Sadie Bjornsen (USA) © Nordic Focus

Four North American women qualified to the quarterfinals where their day ended including Sadie Bjornsen (USA) who finished 19th, Perianne Jones (CAN) was 24th, and Ida Sargent (USA) ended up 29th.

Bjornsen had the misfortune of a misstep by Sweden’s Hanna Falk who suddenly moved into the American’s track and then quickly returned to her centre lane and was later disqualified.

Perianne Jones (CAN) © Nordic Focus

”She just came out right in front of me, I had no place to move me at all. I had to stop completely and wasn’t able to catch back up but it was too difficult, which was too bad. I was feeling good, so that was a bummer,” said Bjornsen. “Still it was a fun day to be surrounded by a huge crowd and start my World Championships. I am looking forward to some more racing coming soon!”

Last year’s sprint crystal globe winner Kikkan Randall (USA) qualified 36th and did not move on to the next round having ‘a bad day at the office’ as she tweeted.

Kikkan Randall (USA) © Nordic Focus

“The season has not been good and last weekend gave me some optimism but the results weren’t there. Classic style is a bit 50-50 for me. Today I felt my technique was missing as I lost momentum on the top of the climbs. I definitely skied really hard and gave everything I had. The skis were great and the course was in great condition but technically it wasn’t working for me today,” shared Randall.

Although Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) laid down the fastest time in the women’s 1.4km CL Sprint qualifications, she missed out on a medal finishing in fourth behind Falla.

Qualifications here.
Final Results here.