Birkebeinerrennet 2002

WorldCup-victory for Skari and Elofsson

Bente Skari and Per Elofsson became the winners of this years WorldCup. After passing the goal on the Birkebeiner stadium Saturday they could receive their trophies. None of them was however among the winners on this years last race. Bente Skari was sick, and Elofsson came on 8^th place.

- ”The Birk” is a really wonderful race, but also a hard one, Elofsson says. He had to give all to secure the WorldCup-trophy. Since Alsgaard won he had to be among the nine first to secure his World Cup and he barely did it.

Did not og because of sickness
Bente Skari did not participate the WorldCup ending because of sickness.
- I woke up on the raceday with a sore throath and fever, and didn’t see any point in walking 60 km over the mountain. The doctor told me not to go if I didn’t want spend the next forthnight with fever.

It was very good I decided the WorldCup last weekend in Holmenkollen. If I hadn’t I would have taken the chance and participated the Birkebeiner anyway, even though I probably wouldn’t have won.

Satisfied with the season
Bente Skari is very satisfied with this years season, and especially the classical style races. There are some victorys she is extra satisfied with, say the Olympic Gold Medal from Salt Lake City.

She thinks she has possibilities to improve in both styles. Next year she plans to win the Gold Medal in the World Championship in Val di Fiemme.

See interview with Bente Skari
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- ”Birken” has been a great arrangment!
- This looks to have been a great arrangment with good tracks and conditions. Its wonderful that the World Cup could be finished in this way when the arrangers are showing control and well acomplished arrangment. I think maybe this race is a bit long for the World Cup, but it has shown itself from its best side.

- Birken is hard!
Per Elofsson also think the Birkebeinerrenn is an incredible fine race, with good conditions and tracks and a lot of audience out in the tracks.

It has been a great experience but it was very hard.

- I didn’t go that fast the first 15-20 km, and I got problems later on the mountain. It wasn’t before at the very end he felt secure to make it. I was among the top 10 during the whole race, but the last kilometers in to the stadium I got real good pullhelp from Erling Jevne.

This race is longer than the ones I usually go, so it was quite hard at end for me.

Had to go the Birkebeiner
Elofsson was scared Thomas Alsgaard should grab the World Cup Victory from him. He didn’t really want to go the Birkebeiner, but since Alsgaard ascended that much in the end of the Worldcup, he had to. That’s way it’s supposed to be. Battle to the very end.

- Will never be a sprinter
Per Elofsson thinks the Birkebeiner still could be a part of the Worldcup.

- ”Birken” is a kind of race on should have more of in the Worldcup. I think its better to go these traditional races than the sprintraces. I will always be a longdistanceskier, no matter how much sprint I train he concludes.

See interview with Per Elofsson
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