Nopesport

It was a flourish of fantastic final leg performances that shaped an exciting women's relay at the Tio-Mila this afternoon. Having led for much of the race, IK Hakarpspojkarna were finally chased down by the Ulricehamns duo of Jenny Johansson & Simone Niggli-Luder. Johansson, on 4th leg, climbed 21 places and gained 5 minutes on the leaders to send Luder out only 1:43 behind Lena Eliasson of Hakarpspojkarna. Luder caught and passed Eliasson by the second radio control and wasn't challenged for top spot but behind her the battle for the top 3 raged. Hanne Staff came from 9th to run the fastest time of the leg to take 2nd by a minute and it was only in the final part of the course after the radio control that she managed to pass the 3 teams in front of her. It was Ryabkina of Hellas who managed to steal 3rd by 6 seconds from Hakarpspojkarna with Ravinen finishing shortly afterwards to take 5th place.

It was a superb performance from the Ravinen team which was made up of 3 Brits, [nope] Young Team member Mhairi Mackenzie, Kim Buckley and Helen Palmer. Other notable British performances included another impressive first leg from in form Jo Stevenson with 6th place.

Results:
1. 3:28:22 Ulricehamns OK 1
2. 3:30:21 Bæelaget SK 1
3. 3:31:20 Soik Hellas 1
4. 3:31:26 IK Hakarpspojkarna 1
5. 3:31:37 OK Ravinen 1
6. 3:34:18 Tampereen Pyrintö
7. 3:34:42 NTNUI 1
8. 3:34:54 OK Linné
9. 3:35:00 IFK Moras OK 1
10. 3:35:25 Fredrikstad Skiklubb 1

Keep checking back for updated reports & results.