March 12, 2009 (Trondheim, Norway) – As has become a tradition Norway’s men dominated another classic sprint on home soil as they swept the podium Thursday in Trondheim, Norway in the 1.6km sprint. Ola Vigen Hattestad came from 4th place coming into the homestretch to charge to the front to add to his World Cup win total now at 6. In second was Petter Northug, who gained a bit more ground on Dario Cologna’s overall World Cup lead (Cologna was 5th in the “A” final). In third was the today’s top qualifier John Kristian Dahl.

Canada’s Alex Harvey was the top qualifier for the North American’s today in 16th, before falling back to 27th after placing 6th in his quarterfinal. Andy Newell (USA) qualified 20th just over three seconds off the lead. Less than six seconds separated the top 30 men on a course that took three and a half minutes. Devon Kershaw (Can) was the only other NA qualifier in 26th, moving up to 24th in the end after placing 4th in his quarterfinal.

It was a day for the wax technicians again today as the temperature hovered over the freezing mark and about 90 minutes before the start of the women’s race a heavy wet snow began to fall turning the tracks into a icy wet mix. Many of the athletes chose “hairies”. For the rounds around 75% of the top 30 athletes chose the waxless ski option.

In the women’s race Petra Majdic (Slo) hung on to win her second World Cup in as many starts after a disappointing result at the World Championships. Alena Prochazkova of Slovakia had a chance for the win but was out lunged by Majdic at the line. Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland came on strong at the end to claim third place. Kikkan Randall (USA) was the only North American woman to qualify for the top 30 qualifying in 29th. Despite being in the second fastest quarterfinal heat Randall moved back to 30th overall after placing 6th in that heat. Norway had 10 women and 12 men in each categories top 30.

Complete men’s results here
Complete women’s results here

Results (brief)

Men
1. Ola Vigen Hattestad (Nor)
2. Petter Northug (Nor)
3. John Kristian Dahl (Nor)
4. Yuichi Onda (Jpn)
5. Dario Cologna (Sui)

23. Andy Newell (USA)
24. Devon Kershaw (Can)
27. Alex Harvey (Can)
37. Torin Koos (USA)
52. Colin Rodgers (USA)
53. Chris Cook (USA)
58. Dave Nighbor (Can)

Women
1. Petra Majdic (Slo)
2. Alena Prochazkova (Svk)
3. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol)
4. Anna Olsson (Swe)
5. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (Fin)

30. Kikkan Randall (USA)
32. Sara Renner (Can)
33. Perianne Jones (Can)
37. Daria Gaiazova (Can)