August 05, 2010 – Norway’s Petter Northug and Sweden’s Marcus Hellner squared off at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in early July with Northug coming out on top. A month has passed, and now it’s time for a new duel between the two Olympic champions. On Friday, August 20 they will meet at the KirkBakken Grand Prix in Hamar, Norway.

The Kirkebakken Grand Prix is a sprint event, only 200 meters long, which takes place in the center of Hamar and finishes at the steps of the Hamar cathedral. Many sprint specialists have won this race including Tor Arne Hetland, Marit Bjoergen, and Thobias Fredriksson. This year’s edition will once again feature a highly competitive field. In addition to Hellner and Northug, three of the four women from the gold-medal-winning Norwegian Olympic relay will be on the start line including  Marit Bjørgen, Therese Johaug and Kristin Størmer Steira. Bjørgen won the race in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007. Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla is among the Kirkebakken winners. A large contingent of skiers from the Norwegian national squad will also be in Hamar.

Busy August Schedule for Northug
Northug will face some tough Swedish opposition in August. Next week he heads to Aure where the race will combine roller skiing, cycling and running. The whole Swedish team will be there. Northug also sent confirmation to the Tour of Jämtland that he will contend the final stage of the bike race there on Saturday, August 7. Together with Bjorn Lind he will ride 210 kilometers from Trondheim to Åre including 1,800 meters of climbing – all before meeting with his Vegas rival at Kirkbakken.

With files from langd.se