Home win for Arianna Follis in Dobbiaco
Home win for Arianna Follis in Dobbiaco. The 32 year old from Gressoney in Valle d’Aosta, who is being trained by Freddy Stauder from Dobbiaco, won the 17 km handicap race in freestyle from Landro to Dobbiaco.
Follis took over the Slovenian Petra Majdic by 3,4 seconds. The Polish Justina Kowalczyk took 3rd place before the Finn Saarinen. Marianna Longa from Livigno who is on fifth place made the success of the “Azzurre” complete.
Karin Moroder from Val Gardena who is the only South Tirolian in this year’s Tour de Ski could however not participate today due to a cold. Also missing was the winner of the sprint-race in Prague, the Russian Natalia Korosteleva. The race was opened by Aino Kaisa Saarinen.
Half a minute later Kowalczyk, Majdic and sprint worldcup champion Arianna Follis enter the course. After seven kilometres this trio catches up with Saarinen. This top group stayed together till three kilometres before the finish, then the Finn could not keep up with the speed and fell behind. 500 metres before the finish Arianne Follis took off, accompanied by the cheering of the crowd and so she celebrates the first Italian win at this year’s tour. The 2nd place was taken by the Slovenian Majdic, 3rd by the Polish Kowalczyk. The Italians crowned their team performance with Marianna Longa on 5th place and Magda Genuin on 11th place. Best German was Katrin Zeller on place 17.
At 18:00 this evening CONI president Gianni Pertucci and governor Luis Durnwalder officially open the new stadium in Dobbiaco, the Nordic Arena. Tomorrow continue the races of the 6th stage of the tour in Dobbiaco. At 12:45 is the 10 km race of men, at 15:30 is the 5 km race of woman. Both races are held in the classic style.
Results Tour de Ski - 5. Stage Landro - Dobbiaco 17 km, freestyle (6 January 2010)
1. Arianna Follis (ITA) 34:34.8
2. Petra Majdic (SLO) +3.4
3. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) +4.1
4. Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) +27.6
5. Marianna Longa (ITA) +2:00.9
6. Alena Sidko (RUS) +2:02.0
7. Riitta-Liisa Roponen (FIN) +2:03.7
8. Olga Savaiola (RUS) +2:04.1
9. Kristin Stoemer Steira (NOR) +2:07.7
10. Vibeke W. Skofterud (NOR) +2:43.4
11. Magda Genuin (ITA) +3:07.1
25. Sabina Valbusa (ITA) +4:11.4
30. Elisa Brocard (ITA) +4:19.3
38. Silvia Rupil (ITA) +5:32.6
39. Antonella Confortola Wyatt (ITA) +5:33.6
You can find all results here!
Statements concerning the race
Arianna Follis (Italia)
I am very satisfied. I was hoping that I would win in my home country – and this I did. I now wear the shirt of the tour leaders which is a great responsibility for me. I would like to wear it now as long as possible. But there are still a few races until the end in Cermis. It was nice that the start and finish were in two different places but it was difficult to prepare. What I expect of tomorrow? Not much, because I am not a strong runner in classic style. But I’ll do my best.
Petra Majdic (Slovenia)
This was a beautiful race which I really enjoyed. We talked over the leading work of the group and this worked especially well with Arianna Follis. I myself have probably attacked a bit too early. But I am happy for Arianna and her win and my own good result. What connects me to Dobbiaco? I like to come here and have trained here last week. The courses are always in perfect condition – and one can shop very well. Tomorrow I’d like to run as good as possible on the 5 km distance. My strongest competitor will be Justyna Kowalczyk, because she can go at a very high speed.
Program Tour de Ski Dobbiaco
Thursday, 7 January 2010
11:00: Festival program in the cross-country skiing stadium Dobbiaco
12:45: 10 km classic men with start and finish in the cross-country skiing stadium Dobbiaco
15:30: 5 km classic woman with start and finish in the cross-country skiing stadium Dobbiaco
17:00: Awards ceremony and ending of the Worldcup 2010
