Hattestad and Bjoergen are the sprint kings of Toblach

Ola Vigen Hattestad was unstoppable on Sunday. In his 12th World Cup victory, the 31-year-old Norwegian sprint specialist beat out his compatriot Eirik Brandsdaal and the German Josef Wenzl. After qualifying in seventh place, Hattestad crossed the finish line first in the quarter-finals and also in the semi-finals and confidently qualified for the final.

With his victory in the sprint in Dobbiaco, Hattestad is on the short list of top favorites for an Olympic medal. In Sochi, the Norwegian will win precious metal for the first time in his third Olympic participation. In 2006 in Turin he finished ninth in the sprint, four years later he narrowly missed the podium in fourth place.

The best “Azzurro” was David Hofer from Val Gardena. He only failed in the semifinals and ultimately took seventh place. Another Italian, Federico Pellegrino (16th), was involved in the decision. Fulvio Scola (42nd), Enrico Nizzi (48th), Francois Vierin (49th), Sergio Rigoni (50th), Loris Frasnelli (54th), Bruneck's Dietmar Nöckler (55th), Fabio Pasini (59th) , Mario Roncadori (61st), Simone Urbani (65th) and Claudio Muller (73rd) had already failed in qualifying.

Bjoergen's tactics work

In the women's final, Marit Bjoergen initially ran very inconspicuously in the back positions and let her competitors do the tempo work. After about 650 meters, the 33-year-old Norwegian picked up the pace and took the lead on the final climb. Bjoergen defended her top position with her sixth win of the season against the attacks of her competitors, especially the German Denise Herrmann, who came second. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (also Norway) took third place.

For Bjoergen it was the 64th World Cup victory in an individual competition in her picture-perfect career. Just in time for the Olympic Games in Sochi, the seven-time Olympic medalist (including three gold) is in top form.

The best “Azzurra” was Greta Laurent, who was ranked 23rd. Gaia Vuerich took 27th place, while Ilaria Debertolis (39th) and Debora Roncari (49th) had to give up after qualifying. There was no South Tyrolean at the start in the Nordic Arena.

Finally, the organizers deserve a big compliment because, despite the heavy snowfall in the past few days, the trails were well prepared and presented in top condition. The World Cup for cross-country skiing, which stopped twice in Dobbiaco this year, is now on pause for a month until the next races in Lahti (Finland) on March 1st and 2nd. In between, however, the most important sporting event of the year is on the program: In Sochi, the Olympic medal is at stake.

Results of the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup Toblach (Sunday, February 2, 2014)

Sprint women (1,3 km), freestyle

1. Marit Bjoergen (NOR) 2. Denise Herrmann (GER) 3. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR) 4. Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR) 5. Kikkan Randall (USA) 6. Katja Visnar (SLO)

23. Greta Laurent (ITA) 27. Gaia Vuerich (ITA)

Not qualified for the final: 39. Ilaria Debertolis(ITA) 49. Debora Roncari (ITA)

Sprint men (1,3 km), freestyle

1. Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR) 2. Eirik Brandsdaal (NOR) 3. Josef Wenzl (GER) 4. Paal Golberg (NOR) 5. Teodor Peterson (SWE) 6. Jovian Hediger (SUI) 7. David Hofer (ITA/St. Christina)

16. Federico Pellegrino (ITA)

Not qualified for the final: 42. Fulvio Scola (ITA) 48. Enrico Nizzi (ITA) 49. Francois Vierin (ITA) 50. Sergio Rigoni (ITA) 54. Loris Frasnelli (ITA) 55. Dietmar Nöckler (ITA/Brunico) 59. Fabio Pasini (ITA) 61. Mario Roncador (ITA) 65. Simone Urbani (ITA) 73. Claudio Muller (ITA)

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Hattestad and Bjoergen are the sprint kings of Toblach

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