2009-6-9
Sweden’s Anders Hogberg continues to reap victories in China. Today，the winner of Tour de Ski China 08/09 took the leading position in Summer Ski Sprint 2009 by winning the men’s competition in the Aershan Stage.
The track was 2 laps on a 520 m course and today’s competitions started with a qualification race in which Trond Iversen, NOR was the fastest with 1.13.04, closely followed by Thobias Fredriksson, SWE and Olympic sprint gold medalist Bjoern Lind SWE. Anders was on an 8th position after the qualification, 1.95 after Iversens time.
The skiers continued through the quarters and semifinal races, and in the final, Anders Hogberg once again showed his strength on the ski tracks of “the Middle Kingdom” by winning the stage before Lasse Paakkonen, FIN in a dramatic sprint duel. Johan Eriksson from the Swedish junior National team took the third place.
Bjoern Lind who took the first place in the first stage of Summer Ski Sprint last year in Changbai Mt finished 4th today. European skiers were in all the top positions with Thobias Fredriksson on 10th, and best Chinese male Sun Qinghai, who came 3rd in the total Tour de Ski China 09 standings, landing on an 11th place.
In the women’s competition, Finnish national team member Mirva Rintala had also decided to come back to China to race. She was the fastest in the qualifications with the time 1.58.50, followed by two Norwegians- Tyldum and Caspersen Falla.
Rintala had to see herself beaten in the Final though by talented junior Maiken Caspersen Falla, NOR. Song Bo, China took the third place. Ski veteran and Olympic Champion Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen did a strong race finishing 5 just after best Swedish woman Carolin Andersson.
Ski Sprint Free Style – Qualification Result
Ski Sprint Free Style – Final Result
