FALUN, Sweden (AP) — Three-time Olympic champion Marit Bjoergen won the 2.5-kilometer classic prologue on Friday, the second of four stages of the World Cup finals.
Bjoergen, winner of the opening Royal Palace Sprint in central Stockholm two days ago, climbed the infamous “Mordarbacken” (Murder Hill) to finish in 6 minutes and 54.4 seconds.
Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla was second, 6.2 seconds behind. Norwegian Marthe Kristoffersen was third, 11.4 behind Bjoergen.
With the win Bjoergen extended her overall World Cup lead to 170 points over Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk, the only other skier still in contention her for the title.
Kowalczyk, overall winner the last three seasons, finished fourth on the day.
