Skari clinches title

It is Skari's third World Cup title

Bente Skari has won the women's cross country World Cup title, after finishing 15th in the 30km freestyle race on Saturday at Holmenkollen, Norway.

Going into the final race of the season, the 29-year-old Norwegian has an unbeatable 104-point lead over her closest rival, Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic.

The season ends next weekend in Lillehammer, Norway, with the notorious 58-km Birkebeineren - the longest World Cup race on the circuit.

Skari also won the overall title in 1999 and 2000 and has finished second twice over the last five years.

Italy's Belmondo won the race

Italy's Stefania Belmondo won the gruelling race on Holmenkollen's tough trails in 1 hour, 14 minutes, 35.3 seconds.

Estonia's Kristina Smigun finished second in 1:14.57, followed by Gabriella Paruzzi of Italy in 1:15.03.9.

Neumannova clocked 1:16.13.2 for eighth place, while Skari's time was 1:17.43.7.

In the overall standings, Skari leads with 856 points against 752 for Neumannova.