date] (Otepaa, Estonia) – It was Norway again topping the podium as Eldar Roenning laid down the fastest time to claim a surprising victory over Sweden’s Daniel Rickardsson in second with Russia’s Maxim Vylegzhanin in third. Roenning’s last WCup win was in the classic sprint in Oberhof earlier this year.

He’s seen several firsts as part of Norway’s relay team, but his last distance race victory was in Cavalese, Italy, in 2007 when he won the 30km classic mass start.

Vylegzhanin was back in the field after high hemoglobin blood levels considered unsafe forced him out of the Tour de Ski on day one on Dec. 31. He was ahead of Rickardsson at the 5k mark but the Swede made progressive gains to overtake the Russian by 2s in the end to claim the silver.

“I’m very happy with my victory. It was a very tough race. I had a great feeling since he morning,” said Roenning at the post-race press conference. His team mate Martin Johnsrud Sundby set an early blistering early pace – with the only sub-12 min time at the 5km mark. He held his form until the final lap but then things began to unravel.

Only Petter Northug (NOR) and Vylegzhanin could come close to Sundby but even the mighty Northug was not up to the challenge as Rickardsson threw his hat in the ring for the podium with the 4th fastest time at 10km.

“It was the tough race from the start till the end,” said Rickardsson.  “I am happy I finished second. After the Tour de Ski I got sick and spent the first five days of the high altitude training in Livigno in bed. When I recovered I had a very good training camp.”

Local favourite Andrus Veerpalu had a strong performance as well finishing 5th. He took over the lead when he finished but it was short-lived, as Roenning, who was on course just behind him, quickly unseated the Estonian star.

“In Otepää you have to have excellent skis and I had them today,” added Roenning – and that he did – as he could not be assailed by the remaining top guns including Marcus Hellner (SWE) in fourth or Northug who ended up 8th.

Four Canadians debuted on the Euro World Cup scene in preparation for the upcoming 2011 Junior/U23 Worlds in Otepaa including Kevin Sandau in 53rd, Graeme Killick in 60th, Michael Somppi in 62nd and Jesse Cockney in 68th.

The Canadians are hungry for more said Canadian Coach Eric de Nys. “They were nervous of course but excited to tackle what is arguably the toughest course on the World Cup circuit. I know they’re hungry for more and this will feed their desires to become the best in the world.” – read more on the Canucks HERE.

For Roenning it was his 6th World Cup victory and his first podium of the season – good timing with the Oslo Worlds around the corner.

Full results HERE.