Sweden took the gold medals in today’s women’s relay in the European Championships, Helena Jansson out-sprinting Minna Kauppi (FIN) in the final stages to win by 12 seconds. The bronze went to Switzerland, Simone Niggli finishing 58 seconds down.

Karolina A Höjsgaard brought Sweden in in first place at the end of the first leg. It was a very close race throughout and at the end of the second leg, run by Lena Eliasson, Sweden had dropped to third, but only 11 seconds down on the lead. In-form Helena Jansson ensured that Sweden’s women could add to their illustrious relay record.

Switzerland finished in front in today’s European Championships men’s relay, Matthias Merz coming in to the finish 36 seconds ahead of Thierry Gueorgiou for France. Norway took the bronze medals, 1:52 down on the winners.

The Swiss were without Daniel Hubmann, who has suffered an eye injury. His replacement Matthias Müeller on first leg and Fabian Hertner on second set up a good platform for a trade-mark speedy last leg from Merz. Sweden were in second place after the second leg and France in fourth, but strong runs from Gueorgiou and from Olav Lundanes for Norway pushed Sweden down into fourth place at the finish.

Leading results:

Women
1) Sweden 1:52:37
2) Finland + 0:12
3) Switzerland + 0:58
4) Czech Republic
5) Russia
6) Denmark

Men
1) Switzerland 1:54:44
2) France + 0:36
3) Norway + 1:52
4) Sweden
5) Czech Republic
6) Great Britain