Sweden's Kalla wins 2017 Ruka Triple

(Ruka, Finland) Sweden's Charlotte Kalla began the final day of the 2017 Ruka Triple in the ladies 10 km Pursuit in free technique with a 2.3 second lead over Marit Bjoergen of Norway.  She crossed the finish line in first and extended her overall lead to 9.7 seconds.  Bjoergen and Kalla shared the lead back and forth throughout the race until the start of the final lap of 2.5 km when Kalla raised the pace and never looked back.

In third place was Norwegian Ragnhild Haga who recorded the fastest time of the day moving from 10th place to the podium on the final day.  Her teammate Heidi Weng who start the day just ahead of Haga in bib 9 was the second fastest on the day just 4.5 seconds back.  Kalla with her impressive effort was good for the third fastest time.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Charlotte Kalla (SWE)
I enjoyed skiing today. It was very fun to ski in Ruka. The course has long uphills and I tried to safe some energy in first three laps. In the last lap my plan was to ski hard. I am looking forward to Lillehammer. There are also tough tracks. It will be exciting. Many athletes need some competitions to be skiing fast. I hope there will be more girls fighting with me and Marit. I am looking forward to going home. I have been at home since the beginning of November.

Marit Bjoergen (NOR)
I am happy with the 2nd place. I tried my best but Charlotte was better than me. When she attacked in the last lap I could not follow her. I am very satisfied with my yesterday’s performance, today it was on OK race from me.

Ragnhild Haga (NOR)
It is an amazing feeling to finish third. I did not feel safe in the last uphill. I wanted to finish as fast as I could. When nobody followed me I was very happy to finish 3rd. The Ruka weekend started really bad, but I knew 10 km free technique is my best distance. I definitely did not expect to be on the podium.

OFFICIAL RESULTS - Day 3 Pursuit free technique

1. KALLA Charlotte 1987 SWE 25:50.1
2. BJOERGEN Marit 1980 NOR +9.7
3. HAGA Ragnhild 1991 NOR +33.9
4. WENG Heidi 1991 NOR +38.0
5. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad 1990 NOR +40.2

Complete RESULTS

FASTEST OF THE DAY

1. HAGA Ragnhild 1991 NOR 25:41.8
2. WENG Heidi 1991 NOR +4.5
3. KALLA Charlotte 1987 SWE +8.3
4. STADLOBER Teresa 1993 AUT +9.1
5. BJOERGEN Marit 1980 NOR +15.4

Complete