January 6, 2006 (Val de Fiemme, Italy) – In today’s 15km mass start competition it was only her teammate Aino Kaisa Saarinen who could keep up with Kuitunen for the first half of the distance.

Weather conditions were truly Italian – sunny, blue skies and air temperature -1,0C, snow -7C. The course preparations were truly excellent.

Kuitunen and Saarinen started off already from the first uphill with very high tempo, followed by Petra Majdic (SLO) who lost already 17 seconds in the end of first lap.

1st sprint bonuses were handed out in the same order; Kuitunen collects 15, Saarinen 10 and Majdic 5 seconds. Finns changed positions after intermediate finish and Saarinen started to work for her team-mate Kuitunen.

Followers’ group led by Marit Bjorgen (NOR) and Katerina Neumanova (CZE) started the chase. The group caught Majdic but they were already some 40 seconds behind the Finns at 5,7km. Kristin Steira (NOR) was already having problems to keep the tempo and she was almost a minute behind leaders at 5,7km.

In the end of 2nd lap Kuitunen takes lead again and the Finnish duo led the chase group by 43 seconds.

On 3rd lap Saarinen could not go ahead with the tempo of the Tour Overall leader Kuitunen as she ran away on her own. Bjorgen broke away from the chase group of 8 athletes but the gap was already 53 seconds to the lead. In the end of 3rd lap Kuitunen was 16 seconds ahead of Saarinen and 56 ahead of Bjorgen. Neumanova had difficulties, probably had to pay hard for yesterday’s success in Asiago sprint.

In the last lap 2nd time bonus seconds were played out and Kuitunen takes 15, Saarinen 10 and Bjorgen 5 seconds. Kuitunen was able to keep up the high tempo all the way to the finish, moving along with very nice technique that did not show any sign of fatigue. Saarinen was 2nd, 37,1 seconds behind and collecting 10 extra seconds. Bjorgen was 3rd, 1.06,5 behind and taking the final 5 bonus seconds. Neumanova was 7th, Majdic 9th, Steira 20th, already 2.40 behind. All in all 50 athletes finished the competition.

In the Veissmann Tour de Ski Sprint competition Kuitunen takes the victory thanks to today’s super performance ahead of Bjorgen and Saarinen.

In the Overall rankings Kuitunen secures her 1st position. Saarinen moves to 2nd, 1.39,5 behind and Bjorgen is 3rd 2.08,9 behind.

There is only one more competition left to know the winners of first ever Tour de Ski. Comments on today’s distance race in Val di Fiemme

Virpi Kuitunen (FIN), Today’s Winner, Tour Golden Bib, Winner of Tour Sprint Ranking (Silver Bib):
“I had some problems in the early races so that is probably why I still have so much energy now and can get it all out of myself. Yesterday’s Sprint in Asiago seems to have been a sort of turning point. My plan for today was to ski relaxed and to ski as fast as my body allowed. I was very surprised to have reached this goal so early in the race but there was no reason to slow down. It also helped that Aino-Kaisa and myself could ski together the two first laps. Actually my plan was to help Aino-Kaisa (Saarinen) but for some reason she was not able to follow but I think she is very happy about her second place today. Skiing alone is more difficult than skiing with someone so the last laps were more difficult. Also I started to think about tomorrow’s race on the last lap. I do have a large lead now but tomorrow’s race will show if that is enough. I am pretty satisfied with my shape but I also have respect for the Final Climb. We will have to wait to see whether the winner will be myself or the mountain. I am afraid that at some points the climb is so steep that it will be difficult to ski properly. It will for sure be a new experience for us all.

I think one reason for my good results this year has been the fact that my training all year has gone really well; it is like I have fallen in love with skiing again. Our team has also been especially supportive this year – a smiling team I would call it. My training has been well-balanced. The only problem is my back, and as you have seen, it is usually ok in classical races and in sprints, but in long distance races in the free technique the pain can be just too much.”

Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (FIN), Today’s Second Place Ranked, Current Second Place Ranked in Tour Overall Standings:
“My tactic for today was to try to be in the leading group and ski as fast as I could. I was a bit surprised that no other athletes could follow me and Virpi. I had thought that there would have been more athletes trying to win some sprint bonus seconds today. I am a bit concerned about tomorrow’s race as we do not really know what to expect. I will just have to try my best. Today, we were able to work as a team and support each other; we also had great skis. The uphill tomorrow will be the hardest part. Anyone who can ski it up well, will win. Tomorrow, you really have to know your limits and be able to pace yourself exactly right; you have to be careful not to overdo it as that would really end up in a catastrophe.

Marit Bjoergen (NOR), Today’s Third Place Ranked, Third in Tour Overall Rankings:
“Today I did not have as good skis as the Finns. I tried to keep up with them but could not. I did not want to make the same mistake as I did in Oberstdorf trying to collect the sprint seconds. I am however quite happy with my third place today. I will give it my best tomorrow and we will see how far that will take me.”

Results (brief)

1.Virpi Kuitunen, FIN, 42:02.2
2. Aino Kaisa Saarinen, FIN, 42:39.3
3. Marit Bjoergen, NOR, 43:08.7
4. Vibeke Skofterud, NOR, 43:22.3
5. Justyna Kowalczyk, POL, 43:23.5

39. Chandra Crawford, Canmore, Alta., 46:20.0
47. Amanda Ammar, Onoway, Alta., 48:52.8
49. Perianne Jones, Almonte, Ont., 49:27.8

For complete results click here.





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