January 02, 2011 (Oberstdorf, Germany) – Sweden’s Emil Joensson stormed to victory in the qualifying session of the men’s 1.2km Classic Sprint in Oberstdorf, Germany at Stage Three of the Tour de Ski. For the women Petra Majdic (SLO) scored the qualifying win. Today’s classic sprint qualifications are being held on the original sprint course of the 2005 Nordic World Championships.

Joensson left no doubt who is currently the best male sprinter on the World Cup circuit and took victory in the qualifier ahead of Russian Nikolay Morilov and Tour leader Dario Cologna (SUI). For the North Americans Andy Newell (4th), Alex Harvey (6th), Devon Kershaw (7th) and Kris Freeman (28th) all advanced.

Majdic showed again why she likes the classic technique in sprinting as she edged out Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) by +0.83 to capture the qualifying win. Tour leader Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) advances as third best. The USA’s Kikkan Randall qualified in 18th.

The Stage Three quarter finals get under way at 14:45 CET. The top 30 athletes will be awarded bonus seconds – the winner of today’s sprint gets 60 seconds, the runner up 56 seconds and third on the podium receives 52 seconds. Number 30 in the finals will be given one second.

Women’s Qualifications HERE.
Men’s Qualifications HERE.