Nikolay Morilov (RUS) © Nordic Focus

January 04, 2012 (Toblach, Italy) – Russia’s Nikolay Morilov out-sprinted Petter Northug of Norway and Dario Cologna of Switzerland to capture the win in today’s 6th stage of the Tour de Ski, a 1.2km sprint race in Toblach, Italy.

After a slow and tactical first lap in today’s final, Northug took charge and upped the pace on lap 2. The Norwegian then lead into the final turn but couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Morilov in the final metres as the Russian nipped the speedy Northug by 0.1 sec at the line. Cologna, who won the qualification round, crossed the line 0.4 seconds back.

The sprint in Toblach came down to an exciting finish... © Nordic Focus

The Canadian men had a good day in Toblach as well. After qualifying in 5th and 6th, respectively, Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw made it into the heats, with Harvey skiing all the way into the final as a Lucky Loser in his fast semi, to finish 6th overall. Kershaw, who looked strong in his quarter-final and was leading in the finishing straight, ended up third and was eliminated. Teammate Ivan Babikov, still nursing an injured wrist, finished 73rd in qualification.

Kris Freeman, the lone American male still at the Tour, finished 54th in qualification and did not make it into the heats.

Cologna, Northug and Russia’s Alexander Legkov continue to occupy the top three overall positions at the Tour de Ski, with Cologna leading Northug by 13.5 seconds. Canada’s Kershaw moves into 4th overall at 2:06.6 off the lead and just 38.4 seconds from the podium. Harvey, meanwhile, vaulted back into the top 10 after making today’s final and now sits in 9th overall at +2:46.2.

Sprint results HERE.
Overall TdS standings HERE.