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The « Tour de Ski » is the main goal for most cross-country skiers, especially in a year with no World Championships or any other big events. The time has come to assess the ski scene and we warmly congratulate our athletes. We are particularly proud of Charlotte Kalla’s impressive victory, of René Sommerfeldt’s come back taking a magnificent 2nd place in the overall and also of Emmanuel Jonnier’s victory place when equipped with Salomon skis.
For Salomon, the 2007-08 Tour de Ski results in: 4 PODIUMS OUT OF 6 FOR SNS BINDINGS with Charlotte Kalla (1st women), Arianna Follis (3rd women), René Sommerfeldt (2nd men) and Georgio Di Centa (3rd men).
CHARLOTTE KALLA WINS THE “TOUR DE SKI”!
Charlotte Kalla, is clearly very, very strong … this young Swede has continued to impress us heat after heat of the Tour de Ski. Despite her young age, Charlotte has exceptional physical qualities and has proved great maturity by managing her races to perfection. She won both Nove Mesto pursuit races, the Asiago sprint and moreover the Val Di Fiemme uphill race which allowed her to claim the final victory and hence the ultimate title that so many dream of. Charlotte finished gloriously, 35 seconds ahead of Virpi Kuitinen, in a great race where she impressed everyone with her physical strength and by the tactical strategies she used in her race worthy of a great champion. CONGRATULATIONS CHARLOTTE!
4 SALOMON GIRLS IN THE 5 FIRST PLACES: CONGRATULATIONS TO CHARLOTTE KALLA, ARIANNA FOLLIS, VALENTINA SCHEVCHENKO AND OLGA ROTCHEVA …
Just behind Charlotte Kalla, the leader, the other « Salomon girls » also stood out during the Ski Tour. Arianna Follis stood on the podium thanks to her sprint victory in Prague and a magnificent final, excelling in front of a public that had turned out in force to support her, Arianna went beyond her own personal limits during the uphill race. Valentina Schevchenko achieved the best time of the last heat when she came back from 17th place to 4th and got ahead of her Dauphine Kristin Steira by 54 secs! And, finally, Russian Olga Rotcheva brilliantly completed this quartet.
Final Ranking Ski Tour Women1.Charlotte Kalla (Salomon boots, Salomon bindings) 2.Virpi Kuitunen 3.Arianna Follis (Salomon boots, Salomon bindings) 4.Valentina Shevchenko (Salomon boots, Salomon bindings) 5.Olga Rotcheva (Salomon boots, Salomon bindings)
RENE SOMMERFELDT SIGNS FOR A HEAT VICTORY AND TAKES 2nd PLACE IN THE OVERALL RANKING
Following last seasons mixed results, we are pleased to see the GREAT René Sommerfeldt back again thanks to an exceptional come back during the final heat and finishing on the 2nd step of the podium. Behind the untouchable Lukas Bauer, the fight was tough between Rene Sommerfeldt, Giorgio Di Centa and Torde Asle Gjerdalen. René won the heat which credits him with a victory in World Cup.
EMMANUEL JONNIER ON SALOMON SKIS WINS 1 HEAT OF THE SKI TOUR
That’s it! He’s done it! Manu’s won a heat of the Tour de Ski! Emmanuel Jonnier was the fastest skier in the 15km skating, track race, second heat of the Tour de Ski, in Nove Mesto. Starting off with bib number 58, Manu came back to 10th place, a true feat! As Emmanuel completed the Tour de Ski, this heat victory also represents 1 World Cup victory and allows him to gain 50 points for the overall ranking. This 1st place is a logical next step in Manu’s career, after his 3 individual podiums from last season, this victory is more than merited and is a good promising result for the continuation of the season. Emmanuel’s confirmed his excellent shape by a great 3rd place on Nove Mesto 2nd pursuit. BRAVO MANU !
PETTER NORTHUG WINS THE SPRINT RANKING
Northug has the silver jersey! Petter Northug on Salomon boots and bindings wins the sprint ranking thanks to his heat victory during the Asiago sprint and takes an 8th place in overall.
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