December 20, 2009 (Rogla, SLO) – Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) won the women’s 15km classic on Sunday with a time of 45:01.9 over Norway’s Marit Bjoergen who edged out Sweden’s Anna Haag in a sprint for second place on the podium. Canada’s Sara Renner finished in 25th with a time of 47:41.4 while Kikkan Randall placed 31st. Canada’s Chandra Crawford did not start.

In a 30km mass start the real race doesn’t happen until the last mile, and that’s where Norway’s Petter Northug held off the final charges of Russia’s Alexander Legkov and Maxim Vylegzhanin. Northug leads the overall distance series and has a commanding lead in the overall World Cup standings with 440 points while team mate John Kristian Dahl is in second with 200 points.

Alex Harvey (CAN) held his place throughout the race, earning 22nd, at 30 seconds off the pace. It was not the result he was hoping for but the cold conditions were tough on many of the competitors. Andy Newell (USA) turned in a good race for the trademark sprinter placing 41st. His US team mate Lars Flora was 47th while Kris Freeman did not finish. Freeman is 8th overall in the distance standings while Newell is the top North American in the overall WCup standings in 14th.

FIS Press Conference with Marit Bjoergen


Women’s 15km classic full results here.
Women’s WCup Distance Standings here.
Women’s WCup Overall Standings here.

Men’s 30km classic full results here.
Men’s WCup Distance Standings here.
Men’s WCup Overall Standings here.

Results (brief)

Women

1. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) 45:01.9
2. Marit Bjoergen (NOR) 45:06.5
3. Anna Haag (SWE) 45:06.6

31. Kikkan Randall (USA) 48:26.6
DNS Chandra Crawford (CAN)

Men

1. Petter Northug (NOR) 1:22:55.9
2. Alexander Legkov (RUS) +0.7
3. Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS ) +0.9
4. Giorgio DiCenta (ITA) +1.5
5. Jens Filbrich (GER) +1.9

22. Alex Harvey +30.4
41. Andrew Newell (USA) +4:46.4
47. Lars Flora (USA) +6:02.7
DNF Kris Freeman (USA)