Larsson leaps into surprise lead after prologue silver

HOME favourite Mats Larsson jumped into the lead of the World Cup final after striking silver in the 3.3km classic style prologue in Falun.

PROLOGUE WINNER: Switzerland's Dario Cologna won the World Cup final prologue in Falun but home favourite Mads Larsson leads the way in the overall standings (Getty Images)

Switzerland's Tour de Ski champion Dario Cologna won on the day, clocking 9:55.3 minutes to finish nearly 5 seconds clear of the rest of the field.

But, on the eve of his 30th birthday, Larsson's time of 10:00.2 minutes was good enough to finish ahead of third-placed Maxim Vylegzhanin for his first podium finish since 2007.

And, combined with his fourth in Wednesday's sprint in Stockholm, the 29-year old leaps into the overall lead with 7.3 in hand on Norway's World Cup champion Petter Northug.

"I didn't expect to be leading but I knew I had a good chance to do a good race today," said Larsson. "It all went well so it was great fun.

"I think the result is to do with technique - not going too fast on the first uphill so you have the power at the end.

"It's always a lot of fun competing in Sweden. A lot of people know me here so it's a great feeling to finish on the podium.

"Tomorrow I just want to stay in the crowd and save as much energy as possible and see where that takes me."

Meanwhile, Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk took control of the women's World Cup final after victory in the 2.5km prologue.

The World Cup champion finished second in Wednesday's sprint in Stockholm but stormed through Friday's time-trial to establish a16.5 second lead over Norway's Marit Bjoergen.

Bjoergen continued her record of reaching the podium in every event since the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to finish second on the day, 8.7 seconds behind Kowalczyk, while home favourite Anna Haag struck bronze another 8.2 back.

Sweden's Anna Olsson, who won Wednesday's sprint in the Royal City, finished seventh to lie third in the World Cup final standings, 39.1 behind Kowalczyk, ahead of Saturday's 10km double pursuit.