Veerpalu, Bjorgen win cross-country races{mosimage}OSLO, Norway (AP) - Andrus Veerpalu of Estonia won the men's World Cup 50-kilometer cross country ski race Saturday, while home favorite Marit Bjorgen triumphed in the women's 30K.

Veerpalu clocked 2 hours, 10 minutes, 25.2 seconds, edging Jens Filbrich of Germany by 27.9 seconds. Norway's Odd-Bjorn Hjelmeset placed third, 28.4 seconds behind.

Overall World Cup leader Axel Teichmann of Germany didn't compete because of illness, but remained atop the standings with 548 points.

Bjorgen, who clinched the overall title last weekend, finished in 1:23:58.1 for her 18th World Cup victory. Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic was second, 27.6 seconds back. Virpi Kuitunen of Finland was third, 36.3 seconds back.

- Associated Press