Johaug reports back on the World Cup stage

At the first distance race of the season in Ruka, Kuusamo (FIN), Johaug is back on top of the podium. It's her 20th podium finish in a 10 km classic event and her 51st podium in a distance race.

Johaug states a clear win with 22.5 seconds before second places Charlotte Kalla from Sweden and Ebba Andersson for whom it was the first individual podium success.

Official results ladies 10km C: click here
Official distance World Cup standing ladies: click here
Official overall World Cup standing ladies: click here

"I can not believe it but first of all, I am so happy to be back and I could start start my first World Cup race again. The last 2 years I had the dream that I want to win the first World Cup race that I race at again."
Therese Johaug (NOR)

Quotes
Listen to all interviews of the official press conferences here.

Therese Johaug (NOR):
“It has been 2 really tough years and I tried to motivate myself for all the training.”

Charlotte Kalla (SWE):
“It went good today so I am happy to have started the season with a podium. We took the energy from yesterday’s race with strong performances."

Ebba Andersson (SWE):
"It feels incredible to stand up there on the podium and I really enjoyed it."
"Its an amazing feeling to stand with both Therese and Charlotte on the podium so I am happy with my race today."

"It's just the start of the season but it would be good if no one would stop me."
Alexander Bolshunov 

Bolshunov crowned the king of Ruka Nordic

With his second consecutive win at the World Cup openers at Ruka, Kuusamo (FIN), Alexander Bolshunov boosted himself to the leader position and the crowd crowned him as the king of Ruka Nordic. 

After 36:17.8 minutes he crossed the finish line, 19.5 seconds before the Norwegian Emil Iversen. Iversen and Calle Halfvarsson from Sweden fought a close battle for the better ranking. Halfvarsson ended up just 1.7 seconds behind Iversen on the third rank.

Official results men 15km C: click here
Official distance World Cup standing men: click here
Official overall World Cup standing men: click here

Quotes
Listen to all interviews of the official press conferences here.

Emil Iversen (NOR):
“I have high expectations and I want to try to beat my result from today.”

Calle Halfvarsson (SWE):
"My tactic was to go a little bit slower at the beginning of the race but actually not as slow as I did."