Marit Bjoergen came up with a win on Sunday that moved her into second overall at the end of the World Cup season. Marit Bjoergen came up with a win on Sunday that moved her into second overall at the end of the World Cup season. (Associated Press file)

Olympic gold medallist Petter Northug of Norway claimed another victory in Sunday's final World Cup cross-country race of the season in Falun, Sweden.

Northug, who had already clinched first overall in the World Cup standings heading into the 15-kilometre race, finished with a time of 44 minutes, 30.8 seconds to beat nearest competitor Maurice Manificat of France by 3.4 seconds.

Marcus Hellner, of Sweden, rounded out the top three.

Ivan Babikov of Canmore, Alta., had the best performance among the Canadians in the field, finishing 17th. He got off to a slow start in the first few kilometres but was able to gain back some ground during the final stretch of the race.

Devon Kershaw of Canmore, Alta. and Alex Harvey of Quebec City, finished 31st and 32nd.

Kowalczyk 1st overall in World Cup

In women's action, triple Olympic gold medallist Marit Bjoergen of Norway surged into second place overall in the women's World Cup cross-country standings after winning the last 10-kilometre handicap race of the season Sunday in Falun.

Bjoergen finished the race with a time of 31:58.0 and held off closest competitor Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland by 51.9 seconds.

Despite the result, Kowalczyk still claimed first overall in the World Cup standings.

Sweden's Charlotte Kalla was third in Sunday's event.

Daria Gaizova, of Montreal, finished 41st as the lone Canadian in the race.