foxsports
KUUSAMO, Finland (AP) Therese Johaug of Norway dominated the women's 5-kilometer freestyle race Saturday at the opening cross-country skiing World Cup meet of the season.
Johaug led from the start and finished in 11 minutes, 23.8 seconds, beating Swedish rival Charlotte Kalla by 17.6 seconds. Sweden's Ida Ingemarsdotter was third, in 11:49.2.
With Norwegian great Marit Bjoergen taking the year off to have a child, Johaug and Kalla are seen as two of the main favorites for the overall World Cup title. Saturday's race was part of a three-day mini tour to start the season, which ends with a 10K pursuit on Sunday.
A men's 10K freestyle race was held later Saturday.
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