Kowalczyk gets her 50th win and Sedov his first

Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk and Petr Sedov of Russia have won the 15/30 km Skiathlon competition in PyeongChang, Korea.  Similar to yesterday's sprint competition there were many new faces on the podium.

It was a very familiar face on the top step of the ladies' podium with Kowalczyk winning her 50th World Cup competition.  It was her first World Cup win since Szklarska Poreba January 2014.  Joining Kowalczyk on the podium in second place was the USA's Liz Stephen +56.0 for her 6th individual World Cup podium.  For Japan's Masako Ishida in third place +1:14.8, it was just her second World Cup podium and her very first since Trondheim 2009.

For Sedov it was his first World Cup podium and it was a win.  He broke away from Norway's Daniel Stock on the free technique portion of the Skiathlon and won in a time of 1:18.49.6.  Stock crossed the line for second place 22.5 seconds later.  In third was another Norwegian Mathias Rundgreen +42.1.  For both Norwegian's it was their first World Cup individual podiums as well.

Competitions continue tomorrow with team sprint competitions.

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ATHLETE QUOTES

Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
It has been a long time since I have been on the World Cup podium. I had very good skis, both classic and skate. I was quite surprised to see how well I skated.

Liz Stephen (USA)
I was afraid I skied little too hard in the classic portion. I wanted to stay with the leading group in the classical part not to fall back. In the free technique I felt better and finally could ski away from Mask. It is awesome to be 2nd.

Masako Ishida (JPN)
My plan before the race was to ski as good as I could the classical part. In the free technique I wanted to keep my technique right. The last lap was hard. The courses are tough here. I am very happy to finish 3rd.

Petr Sedov (RUS)
I felt very strong today. I have to thank to my coach, service staff and to my family. I am very glad that my first ever World Cup podium is a win.

Daniel Stock (NOR)
It was very hard. Petr Sedov was very strong. I could not follow him. I am very happy for 2nd place. The classic part was very hard. I felt stronger in the uphills in the free technique portions. But on the flats Sedov was stronger.

Mathias Rundgreen (NOR)
I felt strong in the classic portion and did a lot of work in the front. After the ski exchange I wanted to push the pace. The chasing group was faster than me. I managed to save some energy for the finish, which was very hard. I am very happy for 3rd place.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS - SKIATHLON

LADIES - 15 km

1. KOWALCZYK Justyna 1983 POL 43:54.7
2. STEPHEN Elizabeth 1987 USA +56.0
3. ISHIDA Masako 1980 JPN +1:14.8
4. PATTERSON Caitlin 1990 USA +1:21.4
5. NORDSTROEM Maria 1991 SWE +1:22.3

Ladies RESULTS

MEN - 30 km

1. SEDOV Petr 1990 RUS 1:18:49.6
2. STOCK Daniel 1992 NOR +22.5
3. RUNDGREEN Mathias 1991 NOR +42.1
4. GLAVATSKIKH Konstantin 1985 RUS +42.1
5. ERIKSSON Gustav 1991 SWE +46.8

Men RESULTS