Bjoergen, Northug rewrite Nordic record books in worlds openers

Falun, Sweden (dpa) - Norwegian stars Marit Bjoergen and Petter Northug rewrote the skiing record books by winning cross-country sprint races on the opening day of the Nordic world championships Thursday.

Bjoergen won the women's race from Stina Nilsson of hosts Sweden and Norwegian Olympic champion Maiken Caspersen Falla. Northug topped a dramatic men's event from Canada's Alex Harvey and Ola Vigen Hattestad, the Olympic champion from Norway.