March 14, 2012 – Norway’s ace Petter Northug will not be starting in this week’s World Cup finals in Stockholm and Falun due to persisting stomach problems. Northug has been struggling with stomach problems since the high altitude stay at Seiser Alm in February. “Trond (Nystad) and Petter made the decision this morning,” commented Northug’s press chief, Otto Ulseth, to NRK.

Northug dropped to third place in the overall World Cup standings after competitions in Drammen and Oslo. Dario Cologna (SUI) has secured the big Crystal Globe but the heat is still on for second and third place. Canada’s Devon Kershaw has moved into second place with 1,214 points with Northug third at 1,199 points, but Alexander Legkov (RUS) is only 245 points down in fourth.

There are four competitions left in the 2011/12 season. The FIS World Cup Finals kick off on Wednesday with Royal City Sprint in Stockholm and continue in Falun with three stages. There are still 350 World Cup points available – the winner of each stage (except stage 4) will get 50 points while the winner of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finale claims 200 points.

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