Johaug took fourth straight victory

Johaug showed early on that his good form was intact and led after the first intermediate.

The great Swedish hope in Sunday's contest, Ebba Andersson, was fourth after the first intermediate, and 16.1 seconds after Johaug. A distance which increased to 26.4 seconds for half the race.

Andersson, however, was not alone in having difficult to keep the pace with Johaug. For each intermediate time drygade Johaug out the distance to the remaining racers.

looked to have a potential chance to threaten the alliance was fellow Russian Ingvild Flugstad Østberg. But even she finally got beaten and was second, 12,1 seconds after Johaug.

– It is really great to compete here. The track here is very tough and I had to work myself in the day. I am so happy to be at the top of the podium again, and so it is christmas, " says a happy Johaug in segerintervjun afterwards.

Ebba Andersson missed the podium with a placement and was 19 seconds behind finländskan Krista Pärmäkoski was third.

" I thought it was stable and good. Maybe I opened a little well controlled in the beginning, but at the same time, I wanted to have forces on the second lap. But I'm happy with my performance today, " says Andersson to Swedish television, SVT.

Therese Johaug. Photo: Gian Ehrenzeller/AP

with The victory in Davos – the fifth straight distanssegern – continues Johaugs domination since the return after dopningsavstängningen. The Norwegian won the first distansloppet of the season in Ruka, fristilsloppet and the pursuit in Lillehammer, norway, and fristilen in Beitostølen last weekend, where she won in utklassningsstil over Charlotte Kalla.

it was no contest. She feels a cold and chose to forgo the weekend's race. Alternate Maja Dahlqvist, who was third in yesterday's sprint, finished in 16th place.

the Second best Swedish was Ida Ingemarsdotter, who had the twelfth best time. Evelina Settlin finished in 19th place. Stina Nilsson and Jonna Sundling ended up further back in the field. Nilsson was 39:a Sundling, just after the on-site 40.

became a dense history in which several racers budade on the victory. Finally it was Evgeniy Belov who had set themselves at the top of the palIen – but with a very small margin.

the Russian was only nine tenths ahead of runner-up Maurice Manificat, France. Martin Johnsrud Sundby finished in third place, which is 4.5 seconds behind Belov.

No american made it into the top 10. The best was Jens Burman which was 12, 34 seconds behind Belov.

" I tend to be a little behind in the beginning and then I can keep my speed pretty good. Then I tend to be able to pick a little bit on the end, " says Burman, SVT.

" today it felt better. I was able to keep the momentum and stay and press on. A step forward, he continues.