Manificat on top again in Davos

(Davos, Switzerland) - Maurice Manificat has won his ninth distance race in the World Cup, equalling the French record for men set by Vincent Vittoz.  He is also now the Overall World Cup Distance leader and will wear the red bib when competition continues next weekend in Toblach, Italy.  Russia's Sergey Ustiugov kept it very close with Manificat throughout the competition and even managed to pull 3 seconds back from the high point on the course to the finish to cross the line +4.0 seconds back.  Alexander Bolshunov also from Russia recorded his second podium of the weekend with another 3rd place performance today +14.6 seconds behind Manificat.  He was now had 4 podium finishes this season.  Today's 15 km free technique interval start competition produced another diverse top 10 with 6 different nations represented (FRA, RUS, NOR, SWE, SUI, CAN).

ATHLETE QUOTES

Maurice Manificat (FRA)
I love to compete here. It has been a few years since I last won here so I'm happy to be back on top. My season has been going well so I knew that today was possible. It is a hard race here and I am tired but thank you to Davos and the public out in the forest. Your encouragement helped very much.

Sergey Ustiugov (RUS)
Today was much better than yesterday. Today was the first day that Klaebo didn't win because he isn't here so there was a chance to win. I feel that each race my shape is getting better and better.

Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) 
My goal today was to not ski to fast and stay steady in the middle of the race and speed up in the end. I think I did that well. So I am satisfied.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MEN - 15 km F

1. MANIFICAT Maurice 1986 FRA 33:56.2
2. USTIUGOV Sergey 1992 RUS +4.0
3. BOLSHUNOV Alexander 1996 RUS +14.6
4. KRUEGER Simen Hegstad 1993 NOR +21.3
5. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI +26.5

Complete RESULTS

OVERALL WORLD CUP STANDINGS

MEN

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 626 pts
2. BOLSHUNOV Alexander RUS 402
3. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR 339

Complete