Cross-country: Olsson takes 15K in Davos

Sweden’s Johan Olsson won his first World Cup in Davos, Switzerland today, taking the men’s 15K classic. The win gave Olsson the lead in the men’s World Cup standings. Kris Freeman, the only U.S. participant, finished 29th.Sweden’s Johan Olsson won his first World Cup in Davos, Switzerland today, taking the men’s 15K classic. The win gave Olsson the lead in the men’s World Cup standings. Kris Freeman, the only U.S. participant, finished 29th.

Finland’s Virpi Kuitunen secured her first victory of the season in the 10K classic. Teammate Aino Kaisa Saarinen finished 18 seconds back for second, maintaining the women’s World Cup lead.

The focus of the U.S. Ski Team now turns to tomorrow’s sprint, the first of the season. The team will look to build on the momentum of Andy Newell’s second-place finish in Lahti last March. Also starting the race for the U.S. will be Kikkan Randall, Torin Koos and Chris Cook.
 

OFFICIAL RESULTS
VIESSMANN CROSS COUNTRY FIS WORLD CUP
Davos, Switzerland – Dec. 13, 2008

Men’s 15k Classic
1. Johan Olsson, Sweden, 40:10.0
2. Axel Teichmann, Germany, 40:20.5
3. Sami Jauhojaervi, Finland, 40:38.5
4. Eldar Roenning, Norway, 40:52.9
5. John Kristian Dahl, Norway, 41:06.4
..
29. Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 42:07.7

Women’s 10K Classic
1. Virpi Kuitunen, FInland, 29:51.0
2. Aino Kaisa Saarinen, Finland, 30:09.0
3. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 30:37.7
4. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, 30:40.7
5. Kristin Stoemer Steira, Norway, 30:41.2