Nilsson and Klaebo dominate Planica Sprints

(Planica, Slovenia) Stina Nilsson (SWE) and Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) added to their overall World Cup sprint leads with victories today in Planica, Slovenia.  Both athletes dominated their classic sprint finals on a course that featured long gradual climbs that really brought the strong classic technique skiers to the front.  It was a day for Norway and Sweden with athletes from both countries filling all 6 podium places.

Following Nilsson on to the podium in second place was Norway's Kathrine Rolsted Harsem for her first ever World Cup podium.  She overtook her teammate Maiken Caspersen Falla in the final meters for that position.  Falla crossed in third place +1.81 behind Nilsson.  Harsem was +1.27 behind.

On the men's side it was Klaebo again who was the class of the field easily advancing each round along with being the day's fastest qualifier.  With his win today Klaebo took back the Overall World Cup leaders bib from Martin Johnsrud Sundby and now leads by 57 points.  In second place on the day was Norway's Emil Iverson.  He was the only one that was able to stay a little bit close to Klaebo.  In third place was Sweden's Teodor Peterson +8.14 seconds back for his first individual podium of the season.

Competitions continue tomorrow with 10 and 15 km interval start classic competitions.  The ladies begin a 9:30 CET and the men at 12:30 CET.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Stina Nilsson (SWE)
I was feeling good the whole day. I knew in the prologue it would be a
good day. In the final curve I took my chances. It was a perfect day for
me.

Kathrine Rolsted Harsem (NOR)
It’s amazing to be finaly on the World Cup podium. I have been 4th a
couple of times and 7th for 100 times. It is very emotional for me. There
have been many ups and downs in my career. I feel just amazing.
**
Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR)**
I did not really have it today. It’s good to be third but I will be headed
home now and try to find shape for the Olympic Games

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR)
I had a lot of fun out there today. It was great to see so many people
along the course and the stadium. I really liked the course with the
long uphill sections.

Emil Iversen (NOR)
I feel I’m in a great shape. The course was quite hard today. I am very
happy for the second place. It was a great day for me.

Teodor Peterson (SWE)
It is amazing to be back on the podium. It has been over a year since
my last individual World Cup podium. It was a tough race and the
course was one of the toughest I have competed on.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

LADIES 1.4 km C

1. NILSSON Stina SWE 3:26.28
2. HARSEM Kathrine Rolsted NOR +1.27
3. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR +1.81
4. DIGGINS Jessica USA +3.81
5. DYVIK Anna SWE +4.45
6. WENG Heidi NOR +14.89

Complete

MEN 1.6 km C

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 3:27.35
2. IVERSEN Emil YC NOR +0.62
3. PETERSON Teodor SWE +8.14
4. SVENSSON Oskar SWE +11.80
5. BRANDSDAL Eirik NOR +19.77
6. RETIVYKH Gleb RUS +27.08

Complete

OVERALL WORLD CUP SPRINT STANDINGS

LADIES

1. NILSSON Stina SWE 335 pts
2. FALLA Maiken Caspersen NOR 283
3. CALDWELL Sophie USA 226

Complete

MEN

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 430 pts
2. PELLEGRINO Federico ITA 275
3. IVERSEN Emil NOR 191

Complete