The Swedish team of Anna Olsson, Sara Lindborg, Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla claimed the opening relay win of the World Cup Cross Country season in Beitostolen, Norway with a late round rally that moved them past Norway I and Finland for the victory Sunday (Nov. 22).

Norway's I squad took the first leg lead behind Vibeke Skofterud, dropped to fifth during the second leg by Therese Johaug then rallied for second in each of the final legs with Kristin Stoermer Steira and Marit Bjoergen.

The Finns controlled the middle of the race with Virpi Kuitunen and Riitta-Liisa Roponen winning legs two and three, but finished third under the surge by both the Swedes and Norwegians.

There was no U.S. team entry. The Canadians finished 14th of 14 teams.

The homestanding Norwegians roared back in the men's race. Eldar Roenning got them out of the blocks second behind a strong Russian team. Martin Johsrud Sundby and Ronny Andre Hafaas kept the team in touch with the field and Petter Northrug anchored the group to the win with a well paced five second edge over the Russians.

Germany kept it rolling for third, coming from well back in the pack with Finland fourth.

The Canadian had a fast start with Devon Kershaw pacing the way to third after the first leg, but dropped back to finish tenth.

Team USA finished up 19th with Kris Freeman powering to sixth in the opening salvo but the rest of the squad unable to maintain the momentum.

"Freeman's goal of the day was to work on classic racing in a head to head mass
start situation and I think he had a good race, finishing sixth in the first
leg," said U.S. coach Pete Vordenberg.

The U.S. relay team also consisted of Andy Newell, Torrin Koos and Lars Flora.

Vordenberg said the race was also a good
showing by the rest of the men, but the team wasn't necessarily looking for the
top results as much as they were warming up for the season ahead.

"Andy
had a really solid race and it showed a lot of athleticism. Torin raced solid
and Lars finishing 15th in his leg was a good showing," Vordenberg said. "The
finish for a team is not a goal for us yet. We don't have a team yet where we
can look for those results."

Photo of Charlotte Kalla by GEPA

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