Germany takes men's relay, Norway the women's race

Germany takes men’s relay, Norway the women’s race{mosimage}Tobias Angerer anchored Germany to a thrilling win in the men’s 4x10km relay Sunday in Beitostolen, Norway. He pulled away in the final 500 meters from Tore Ruud Hofstad of Norway, with a surging Ole Einar Bjoerndalen securing third place for the Norway II team. Earlier, the hosts claimed victory in the women’s 4x5km relay with Marit Bjoergen edging out Claudia Künzel of Germany.

In the women’s race, under a steady snowfall, Elin Ek upset the form to give Sweden the early lead. Then it was Kirstin Steira pulling Norway ahead with Finland and Sweden in pursuit, and Germany fourth.

Evi Sachenbacher pulled the Germans back and after the final exchange, Claudia Künzel took off with Bjoergen. The two stayed tight until the very final climb when it appeared that the Norwegian might have spent her energy too soon with a powerful overtaking manoeuvre. But in the end, Bjoergen held on to give the hosts the win.

Russia finished third ahead of Finland and a disappointing Italian relay team that failed to live up to its billing after strong individual performances on Saturday.

In the men’s relay, the veteran Rotchev put Russia in front at the first exchange, but Teichmann of Germany, Valbusa of Italy, and Hjelmeset of Norway then blew past with Bjonviken of Norway II doing all possible to keep the leaders in his sights.

At the final exchange, Sweden, Germany, Italy and Norway I were even, but Joergen Brink would fade for the Swedes while the Norwegians would surge, most notably biathlon great Ole Einar Bjoerndalen who made up an 18-second deficit on the leaders.

Bjoerndalen no longer had the energy to contest the final sprint, but Angerer did, choosing his moment in the final ascent, the German shook Hofstad to win, leaving behind a Norwegian one-two with Saturday’s individual 15km freestyle winner Piller Cottrer behind in fourth.

Cross-Country World Cup
Beitostolen, Norway
November 23, 2003
Women’s 4x5km Relay
1. NORWAY I 56:38.7
2. GERMANY 56:38.8
3. RUSSIA 57:20.7
4. FINLAND 57:28.9
5. ITALY 57:41.5
No North Americans competed.

Men’s 4x10km Relay
1. GERMANY 1:41:29.0
2. NORWAY I 1:41:31.0
3. NORWAY II 1:41:33.4
4. ITALY 1:41:43.4
5. SWEDEN I 1:41:54.8
No North Americans competed.