Hattestad of Norway wins World Cup cross-country sprint; Kowalczyk of Poland wins womens’ race

Hattestad, Kowalczyk win World Cup sprints

KUUSAMO, Finland — Ola Vigen Hattestad of Norway has won a mens’ World Cup cross-country sprint race ahead of compatriot Oeystein Pettersen.

Russia’s Nikita Kriukov prevented a Norwegian sweep in the 1.4-kilometer event at the Ruka ski center on Saturday, beating John Kristian Dahl. Hattestad won the sprint championship at last year’s Nordic worlds and is a favorite for a medal at the Vanouver Olympics in February.

Reigning World Cup champion Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland dominated the women’s 1.2K race. Petra Majdic of Slovenia was second and Alena Prochazkova of Slovakia took third in a photo finish with Aino-Kaisa Saarinen of Finland.