March 22, 2013 (Falun, Sweden) – Norway’s Petter Northug Jr. edged closer to his final goal this season – to take home the men’s overall FIS World Cup Series crown – as he lead a Norwegian podium sweep in the men’s albeit shortened 2.5km FR Prologue. Three more Team Norge skiers landed the top ten showing the depth of the squad as the last minute course modification seemd to favour Northug.

Leading the North Americans was the USA’s Andy Newell in 16th with teammate Torin Koos claiming 25th, Canada’s Len Valjas in 27th and Alex Harvey also in the points in 30th. Fans will remember that Harvey made history here last year winning his first individual WCup gold.

“The plan was not to go out too hard in the first kilometre because people tend to pay at the end. I wanted to carry high speed downhill into the finish,” Northug told FIS XC as he plans his strategy against Alexander Legkov (RUS) and Dario Cologna (SUI) threatening his WCup plans. “Tomorrow I will try to stand in the front and go for bonus seconds. I have a comfortable lead but will watch out for Alexander and Dario.”

Legkov was 9th today and Cologna finished 11th as Northug extended his lead overall lead to 56 points over the Russian in second with Cologna at 69 points behind in third.

Canada’s Devon Kershaw, also on the podium with Harvey here last year placing third (a Canadian WCup first), finished 32nd today while fellow Canuck Michael Somppi was 44th, Noah Hoffman (USA) was 51st and Ivan Babikov (CAN) was 52nd.

“This was such a good race for us last year and we were trying to get revved up thinking about that success, but the bodies just aren’t there right now,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team.”We have analyzed things really well as a team, and reflected on what went wrong for us. Those five weeks at the beginning of the season were just too much.

“We are expecting more because expectations are different now. We have to continue plugging along and stay positive. We’ll keep our spirits up to the end of the season and learn from this.”

Full results HERE.