The day began with a gray cloud cover which persisted throughout the morning, but once it was time to start the race the clouds broke up and invited the athletes and the audience in a really nice sunshine. Attendance support has probably never been this big and it was noticeable on the athletes.

Anna Olsson offered a Swedish victory. She fought his way through the finals and stayed ahead of Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland and Marit Bjoergen, Norway.

It is the first time ever that a Swedish stand at the top of the podium in the sprint around the castle. The stands were filled to the brim and all standing people around the runway was full of enthusiasm and excitement.

Emil Jönsson, who has already won the overall World Cup in the sprint fought his way through the entire race and in the final stretch up the castle hill you could see really how he just exploded.

- It was just to drive on, despite the blackened eye, said a tired, but happy, Emil Jönsson after his third place in the castle sprint 2010th

- You got to focus on what the brain wants and not the body and when i came up to the castle hill and heard the audience"s jubilation, it was adrenaline, continued Emil.

For runner-up Petter Northug, Norway, it was a nervous wait after the finish. The jury had thoughts on whether he skated or not in the last uphill, but he was finally approved after a warning from the jury.

Results Royal Palace Sprint 2010.
Winner ladies: Anna Olsson. Sweden.
Winner men: Nikita Kriukov, Russia.