Bjoergen closes gap in World Cup cross-country
Last Updated: Saturday, March 20, 2010 | 2:02 PM ET
CBC Sports
Norway's Marit Bjoergen heads for the finish line in the women's pursuit on Saturday. (Anders Wiklund/Associated Press) Norway’s Marit Bjoergen won the women’s 10-kilometre World Cup cross country pursuit in Falun, Sweden, on Saturday, closing the gap on the overall standings with just one event left in the season.
Bjoergen, winner of the pursuit at the Vancouver Olympics, finished 2.5 seconds ahead of fellow Norwegian Kristin Stoermer Steira and 33.6 up on teammate Therese Johaug.
She currently sits in third place in the overall standings, behind Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk and Slovakia's Petra Majdic.
Daria Gaiazova, of Banff, Alta., was the lone Canadian, finishing well back in 43rd spot.
The last event, the 10-kilometre free handicap, takes place on Sunday.
Northug wins again
World Cup leader Petter Northug of Norway won the men's 20-km cross-country pursuit, using a strong sprint to win by 1.7 seconds.
Northug crossed in 1:3.7 in the 10K classical and 10K freestyle race.
The World Cup champion broke away from eight other skiers shortly before the finish line, beating runner-up Tobias Angerer of Germany. Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic was third.
Canada's Ivan Babikov, of Canmore, Alta., led the event through five kilometres before falling back to 13th at the end, 29 seconds back of the winner.
Alex Harvey, of Quebec City, took 23rd, while Devon Kershaw of Sudbury was 38th. Graham Nishikawa, of Whitehorse, Yukon, did not start.
