Holmenkollen XC: Finn Saarinen wins 30 km CL

Aino Kaisa Saarinen led a Finnish double in a women's 30-kilometer World Cup cross-country race on Saturday at Holmenkollen.

OSLO, Norway — Aino Kaisa Saarinen led a Finnish double in a women's 30-kilometer World Cup cross-country race on Saturday at Holmenkollen.
    Saarinnen finished the grueling race, held in the classic style, in 1 hour, 23 minutes, 55.7 seconds. It was her first career World Cup victory.
    Kikkan Randall led the U.S. Ski Team in 38th place.
    ''It's been a dream since I was a kid to win the 30K at Holmenkollen, so I'm very happy,'' Saarinen said. ''I was very tired after 20 kilometers, but the crowd helped me to keep on going fast.''
    Finland's Virpi Kuitunen, who clinched the overall title last week, was 30.6 seconds behind. Petra Majdic of Slovenia finished third, 48.6 seconds back.
    With two races left, Kuitunen leads the overall standings with 1,477 points. Defending champion Marit Bjorgen of Norway, who finished 10th, is second with 829. Saarinen advanced to fourth with 777 points.