November 14, 2008 – Although the Nordic World Cup season doesn’t officially begin for one more week the FIS racing series lit up today with sprints in Finland and Norway. In Muonio, Finland on the women’s side Petra Majdic of Slovenia won the women’s 1km classic sprint ahead of Natalia Matveeva of Russia. In third was Germany’s Manuela Henkel.

In the men’s race Russian’s swept the podium and placed 4 in the top 5. In first was Nikita Kriukov, followed by Vassili Rotchev, and in third was Nikolay Morilov. The US’s Andy Newell was 12 overall. For the complete results click here.

In Beitostolen, Norway the season kicked off with the 1.4km skate sprint. On the women’s side Marta Kristoffersen of Norway won ahead of Vesna Fabjan of Slovenia. In third was Norway’s Celine Brun-Lie. Petter Northug of Norway took the men’s race in a close finish with fellow countryman Johan Kjolstad. Completing the Norwegian sweep of the podium was Tor Arne Hetland.

For complete women’s results click here. For the complete men’s results click here.