Falk bursts onto international scene with sprint win in Germany

SWEDEN'S Hanna Falk announced her arrival on the senior cross-country scene with an impressive sprint victory at the World Cup in Dusseldorf.

BRIGHT PROSPECT: 20-year old Swedish skier Hanna Falk storms to sprint gold in only her second senior World Cup in Dusseldorf

In only her second senior World Cup race, the 20-year old came through qualifying as fourth fastest.

But Falk was untouchable in the final, progressing from her seventh place in Kuusamo last week to win in 1:45.5 minutes

Russia's Natalia Korosteleva came home 0.1 seconds behind Falk to claim silver in Germany and move herself to second in the overall World Cup standings behind Finland's Aino Kaisa Saarinen.

Meanwhile, Slovenia's Vesna Fabjan was a surprise bronze medallist, recording her first ever World Cup podium after finishing another 0.1 secs back.

Russia's Alexei Petukhov also picked up his first World Cup win in the men's sprint in Germany.

The 26-year old failed to progress through qualifying at the season opener in Kuusamo but looked a different skier in Germany, qualifying fastest before sealing victory in 2:58.2 mins.

Norway's Anders Gloøersen and Eirik Brandsdal completed the podium in Germany, finishing 0.5 and 0.7 secs respectively behind Petukhov.

Olga Vigen Hattestad, who struck gold in Kuusamo, could only manage fifth in Dusseldorf but leads the World Cup sprint standings on 145 points.