Teichmann, Smigun win classic-style World Cups in Kuusamo

Teichmann, Smigun win classic-style World Cups in Kuusamo{mosimage}Germany’s Axel Teichmann outclassed the field in winning a World Cup 15-kilometer World Cup classic-style cross-country ski race Sunday. Estonia’s Kristina Smigun took a 10K classic race for her first victory this season.

Teichmann was timed in 37 minutes, 33.0 seconds, beating Vassili Rotchev of Russia by 24.8 seconds and World Cup champ Rene Sommerfeldt of Germany by 27.1. The same trio won medals last week in Gallivare, Sweden, in the first 15K classic. Smigun finished ahead of Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic and Marit Bjorgen of Norway, racing in 2-degree temperatures.

In three starts this season, Teichmann has a first, a second and a first, putting him atop the overall standings with 283 points. He is followed by Sommerfeldt at 190 and Rotchev at 184.

Smigun won in 27:47.4. Neumannova was beaten by 13 seconds but held of Bjorgen by 1.4 seconds. Smigun lost her first two World Cup races by only 1.1 and 1.3 seconds. Italy’s Gabriela Paruzzi, the defending women’s overall champion, finished 19th.

Bjorgen leads the overall standings with 310 points, with Smigun at 260 and Neumannova at 225. -The Associated Press