Maiken Caspersen Falla takes sprint World Cup lead with Stockholm success

Heading to the event in Sweden Oestberg was leading the sprint standings, but had to settle for second best as Falla took the win in 3:09.38 minutes.

Oestberg was runner-up, 3.39 seconds further back, while Swede Stina Nilsson completed the podium in third.

The victory saw Falla leapfrog Oestberg in the World Cup sprint standings and she now leads the way on 480 points.

Oestberg is just four points further back in second with Nilsson just two behind her in third, with the former now second in the overall standings with a score of 1552, her compatriot Therese Johaug leading the way on 1644 despite sitting out the sprint event in Stockholm.

There was also two Norwegians on the podium in the men's event but they were both unable to prevent Russian Nikita Kriukov from claiming the win.

Kriukov came home in 2:46.70 minutes, with Norwegian duo Ola Vigen Hattestad and Petter Jr Northug second and third respectively.

Despite finishing down in 21st in Stockholm, Italian Federico Pellegrino still leads the World Cup sprint standings on 415 points with Northug second on 308.

Sportsbeat 2016