February 27, 2012 (Erzurum, TUR) – Russia’s junior athletes put their stamp on the final day of competition at the Junior World Championships in Erzurum, Turkey, winning both the women’s 4×3.3km and the men’s 4x5km (CL/FR) relays.

The Russian junior women’s team anchored by Elena Soboleva had a 13-second margin as Sweden and Slovenia duked it out to the line with Sweden’s Stina Nilsson nipping Slovenia’s Nika Razinger by 0.1s for the silver.

Sweden struck an early lead but Russia took over on the second classic leg and never looked back. Germany claimed 4th as Italy edged out Norway for 5th by only 0.2s.

Just behind Canada and the US were also in tight battle as Emily Hannah brought the Americans into contention with the Canadians on the first skating leg. But the Canucks made up of Dahria Beatty, Janelle Greer, Anne-Marie Comeau and Emilie Steward-Jones held on to claim 9th place just nipping the US Junior women’s squad consisting of Corey Stock, Mary O’Connell, Hannah, and Stephanie Kirk, at the line by only 0.4s as the Americans finished 10th.

The Junior men’s 4x5km relay race saw a repeat performance by the Russians as they dominated the field in Erzurum on Sunday, leading the race from start to finish fending off all challengers for the gold. Kazakhstan grabbed the silver as Norway settled for the bronze.

Team Canada made up of Alexis Turgeon, Knute Johnsgaard, Geoffrey Richards, and Sebastian Dandurand finished in 10th while Team USA consisting of Logan Hanneman, Will Wicherski, Michael Vigers, and Cole Morgan was just behind in 11th overall out of 19 teams. Hanneman had a strong lead-off classic leg handing off in 4th but the US squad could not maintain the pace.

Russia lead the field scoring 10 cross-country gold medals at the FIS Nordic Junior/U23 World Ski Championships and also won the 2012 Marc Hodler trophy.

Junior women’s relay results HERE.
Junior men’s relay results HERE.

Women’s Relay Photos

Men’s Relay Photos