Sapporo: Neumannova fastest in 10 km
Defending champion Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic won the women's 10-kilometer cross-country event Tuesday at the Nordic World Ski Championships.
SAPPORO, Japan — Defending champion Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic won the women's 10-kilometer cross-country event Tuesday at the Nordic World Ski Championships.
Neumannova crossed the finish line with a time of 23 minutes, 58.4 seconds to give the Czech Republic its third medal of the championships.
''I started off kind of slow at the beginning and knew I had to pick it up,'' said Neumannova. ''I had some energy left at the end and was surprised I had such a big lead.''
Russia's Olga Savialova took the silver medal 26. 5 seconds back while Italy's Arianna Follis won the bronze medal with a time of 24:28.6.
World Cup leader Virpi Kuitunen pulled out of the race, citing health problems.
Olympic champion Kristina Smigun of Estonia finished in ninth place with a time of 24:56.3 while Norway's Marit Bjoergen was a disappointing 22nd overall.
Neumannova said she will finish out the World Cup events this year and then retire.
''I'm just going to focus on the World Cup races and then I will retire and have a big party back home,'' said Neumannova. ''I have a child so there will be plenty to keep me busy.''
Neumannova won gold in the 30-kilometer race in Torino and silver in the 15-kilometer pursuit.
She said the gold in Torino was the highlight of her career but the second gold in the World Championships will make a nice addition to her trophy case.
''I waited so long to win the gold in the World Championships two years ago in Oberstdorf,'' said Neumannova. ''Turin is probably the biggest but this is nice too.''
Savialova, who won gold in the 15-kilomter pursuit here, said it would have been difficult to catch Neumannova.
''She's in great shape so it would have tough,'' said Savialova. ''The first gold was great and I didn't expect to win another medal so it's very nice.''
The top American was Northern Michigan University senior Lindsey Weier in 52nd place. Weier, a two-time Olympian, but skiing in her first World Championships, had a time of 27:08.0 with Sarah Konrad 55th and Caitlin Compton 60th in her first race at the championships after battling the onset of a cold.
Women
Cross-country
10 kilometers
1. Katerina Neumannova, Czech Republic, 23 minutes, 58.4 seconds.
2. Olga Savialova, Russia, 26.5 behind.
3. Arianna Follis, Italy, 30.2.
4. Kristin Stormer Steira, Norway, 35.5.
5. Charlotte Kalla, Sweden, 43.5.
6. Evi Sachenbacher Stehle, Germany, 46.0.
7. Liisa Riitta Roponen, Finland, 50.0.
8. Valentina Shevchenko, Ukraine, 53.3.
9. Kristina Smigun, Estonia, 57.9.
10. Natalia Korosteleva, Russia, 58.8.
About the Author: Pete Rugh
