Johaug blitzes opposition to win World Cup cross-country

OSLO, Norway (AP) Norway's Therese Johaug blitzed the opposition to win the 30-kilometer cross-country World Cup meet on Sunday.

Johaug set a blistering pace from the start and didn't let up throughout the classical-style race, beating fellow Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg by 3 minutes 46.5 seconds, for the biggest margin of victory ever in a women's World Cup.

Finland's Anne Kylloenen finished third, more than four minutes behind Johaug.

At the 5K point Johaug was already 45 seconds ahead of the chasing pack, and with no-one able to match her pace, she was nearly three minutes ahead just past the halfway mark.

The impressive win was Johaug's first victory in classic style at Holmenkollen and extends her lead at the top of the overall standings. She now has 1644 points, 172 ahead of Oestberg in second and 423 clear of third-placed Heidi Weng, also from Norway.

Johaug had been sick recently but after the race said she felt had ''a lot of power.''

''For me maybe some days in the bed was good. Today I have a lot of energy and it was amazing to ski here,'' she said.