FIS Rollerski World Cup successfully concluded in Madona

Middle distance race with interval start in classic technique concluded the second stage of FIS Rollerski World Cup  in Latvian city of Madona, which will host the FIS Rollerski World Championships next year.

On the last third day host country for the first time remained without victory as participants from Sweden, Norway, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Ukraine managed to end up in the top 3.

In the senior men's class, Robin Norum, Victor Gustafsson (both Sweden) and Ukrainian Oleksii Krasovskyi provided an exciting competition, all three finishing within 5 seconds in the 10km distance. While majority of the race the battle for victory went on mostly between Norum and Krasovskyi, mass start distance winner on Saturday Gustafsson found some speed on the last lap and at the end lost on his teammate only 1,4 seconds. Consequently Norum won fourth year in a row the distance in classic in Madona, while Krasovskyi earned first podium finish for Ukraine this weekend.

Very similar scenario was written also in junior men's 10km distance, where best three finished within 5 seconds. Norwegian Aadne Gigernes took his first career victory, as Sweden's Johan Ekberg achieved his career best result during those three days in Madona finishing 2nd. Meanwhile third place winner Russian Aleksander Grigoriev was the only one in his group to step on podium in all three competitions. First two days winner Latvian Raimo Vigants had not enough fuel left, as he finished in fourth.

Among senior ladies Alena Prochazkova landed for the third time on the podium and won second day in a row, by being fastest in 7,5km distance. The Slovakian athlete once again took victory in the close battle with her neighbour Czech Sandra Schuetzova. Podium for ladies could look the same as on Saturday, but at the end Sweden's Julia Angelsioeoe overtook her teammate Jackline Lockner, preventing Lockner from third podium in Latvian skiing centre.

Opposite to senior ladies for junior in the top 3 there were the same girls and in the same order as in mass start day before. Moa Hansson showed her strength and won more than minute ahead of sprint winner Julie Arnesen from Norway. Thus Hansson became the only one from all the groups to finish among the three best in all six races this season. Alba Mortagna was again best from Italian girls, completing the podium.

FIS Rollerski World Cup will continue with third stage at the end of August in Khanty-Mansijsk (RUS).

Provided by Ivars Bacis