SKIING
Norway sweeps board at Italy’s Tour de Ski
Norway swept the board at the Tour de Ski in the Italian Alps on Sunday, winning both the women's and the men's events.
Published: 6 January 2014 10:25 CET
Alpe Cermis, Italy. Therese Johaug (centre), Heidi Weng (right) and Astrid Jacobsen Uhrenholdt (left). Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Scanpix
Cross-country skiing star Therese Johaug won the women's event, after dominating the final stage, a tough climb through wind and snow up Mount Cermis, while Martin Johnsrud Sundby came first in the men's event.
"This is a dream come true. I am so happy, I am so happy," Johaug told NRK after the race. ''There were tough conditions today and I had to work hard with my legs and arms.''
Sundby, who also complained about the wet, heavy snow, said that winning the Tour de Ski was in his opinion a greater achievement than an Olympic gold.
"Personally, I think it's tougher to be strong over ten days than to just do one day. I've always looked on the Tour de Ski winner as a complete skier and it's great to be that skier.
Johaug was followed in second and third place by fellow Norwegians Astrid Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen and Heidi Weng.
Sundby was also followed in second place by a Norwegian, Chris Jespersen.
If Austria's Johannes Duerr had not beaten Petter Northug to third place, the country would have had a clean sweep at the event.
The Tour de Ski, founded in 2006, is a cross-country skiing event held in Central Europe and based on the Tour de France model.
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