Masters wins sit-ski at the World Cup finals

World Cup leader Oksana Masters (USA) won the first race of the 2015 Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals in Surnadal Tuesday. She finished the women's 12 km sit-ski cross-country course in 36.44,9, while Norwegian Mariann Marthinsen finished second at 37.37,7 and Natalia Kocherova from Russia came in third place at 39.14,6.

- Today's race turned out unexpectedly good for me, it was really fun skiing, Masters said.

With Tuesday's win she increased her lead in the overall ranking, but she insists nothing is decided yet. 

- Anything can still happen, I know Mariann is close to me in the overall ranking. We have one more cross-country race so we will have to see how that goes. Right now I am just enjoying skiing here, it is pretty awesome.

- Fantastic crowd

Mariann Marthinsen had hoped to finish closer to Masters, but was still happy with the first day of the World Cup Finals.

- It was a tough race, and I am a little disappointed to finish so far behind Oksana. Hopefully I will be able to find that extra gear for Saturday's 5km, Marthinsen said.

- However, the tracks are great and the crowd is fantastic. We are not used to competing in front of a crowd like this, so we really appreciate it, she added.

- A lot to learn

Oksana Masters is also competing in biathlon, where she is currently in ninth place in the World Cup standings.

- For me, biathlon is a whole different story, she laughs. 

- I have a lot to learn there, but I am pretty excited about doing biathlon. I have put more time into cross-country, but I have already improved from last season in biathlon as well. It requires a lot more skill and consistent training, though, I can't just muscle through that. There is more finesse to it, the 25-year-old said to surnadalil.no.

Masters told reporters that she is really enjoying her visit to Norway so far.

- I love it here. It is my first time here and it is so cool. The food, and especially the salmon, is also great, Masters said.