LEAD: Cologna, Kowalczyk enjoy perfect Otepaa cross-country weekend

Jan 22, 2012, 14:37 GMT

Otepaa, Estonia - Dario Cologna completed a perfect weekend in Estonia with victory in a 15km race to stretch his lead atop the cross-country skiing World Cup standings on Sunday.

Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland also won both races on the women's side to close the gap on leader Marit Bjoergen.

Cologna powered to his fourth season victory in the classic style race in 40 minutes 12.4 seconds, 24 hours after dominating a sprint as well the previous day.

Czech Lukas Bauer trailed by 24 seconds in second place and Devon Kershaw of Canada was third on the podium, 25.2 seconds behind the winner.

Cologna rules the World Cup with 1,474 points ahead of Norwegian holder Petter Northug, who remained on 1,181 after not competing in Otepaa.

Kowalczyk, like Cologna a winner at the recent Tour de Ski stage race, also got a fourth season victory when she came from behind in the women's 10km to win in 29:44.8 minutes.

Bjoergen had to settle for second as on Saturday, 21.9 seconds behind, and fellow-Norwegian early race leader Therese Johaug was third with a deficit of 40.5 seconds.

Bjoergen retained the World Cup lead with 1,486 points, but Kowalczyk sliced 40 points off her deficit over the weekend for now 1,424 points.