Kuusamo, Finland - Petter Northug of Norway produced a stunning finish on Sunday to steal victory from Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin in a 15 kilometres cross country World Cup ski race on Sunday. Northug trailed Vylegzhanin by 8.3 seconds with less than two kilometres left in the classic style race, but crossed the line in first place for his fifth career win in 35 minutes 22.2 seconds.
Vylegzhanin shook his head in disbelief as he missed a first career win by 1.2 seconds. Compatriot Alexander Legkov was third, 7.9 seconds behind the winner.
Northug, who also beat Vylegzhanin for victory in the 50km race at the 2009 world championships, moved atop the World Cup standings with 150 points from three races.
So did Finland's Aino Kaisa Saarinen on the women's side with 179 points after getting her third career win earlier Sunday, in 25:58.0 minutes for 10km.
Irina Khazova of Russia trailed by 13.1 seconds in second place. Wibeke Skofterud of Norway came third, 14.7 seconds off the pace.
The cross-country World Cup continues next weekend with sprint races in Dusseldorf, Germany.
