Nilsson, Klaebo win opening World Cup cross-country sprints

Swedish skier Stina Nilsson and Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won sprint races as the cross-country World Cup opened for its Olympic season on Friday.

Nilsson won the women's classical event by 0.24 seconds from Sadie Bjornsen of the United States. Yulia Belorukova of Russia was third, 0.91 seconds off the pace.

Nilsson continued her strong form after winning the last three World Cup sprints last season. "I had a really good feeling," she said.

The reigning overall World Cup men's sprint champion, Klaebo, won his event in dominant style.

Klaebo built up a big lead and was able to ease off well before the finish line as he won by 1.35 seconds from fellow Norwegian Paal Golberg.

Third place went to Calle Halfvarrson of Sweden, 2.68 seconds further back.

Russia entered three men's and women's skiers who have been banned by the International Olympic Committee for their part in a Russian doping scheme at the 2014 Olympics.

The IOC bans doesn't stop skiers racing in non-Olympic events, and the International Ski Federation has opted not to impose its own suspensions until the IOC hands over more details of the evidence behind its rulings.

Of the three Russians serving IOC bans, Evgenia Shapovalova reached the women's semifinals but missed a place in the final by 0.38 seconds.

In the men's event, Maxim Vylegzhanin and Evgeny Belov didn't get past the qualifying round.

Belorukova hasn't faced any IOC sanctions.

Germany's Loelling wins skeleton race, takes series lead

Germany's Jacqueline Loelling won a World Cup skeleton race Friday, moving her into the series overall points lead after three races this season.

Canada's Jane Channell was second and Germany's Tina Hermann was third, both of them about a quarter-second behind Loelling.

It was the first World Cup race since the International Olympic Committee this week stripped medals won by Russian athletes at the 2014 Sochi Games. The rulings came after a long investigation into what was found to be a state-sponsored doping program.

Elena Nikitina, who had won bronze in Sochi before losing it this week, was also suspended for this World Cup pending an appeal. Katie Uhlaender of the U.S., who is likely to get the medal Nikitina must surrender, was ninth Friday.

IOC disqualifies 2-time Sochi Olympic bobsled champion

The IOC has disqualified twotime Sochi Olympic bobsled champion Alexander Zubkov and three other Russians for their part in a state-backed doping program.

The International Olympic Committee says Zubkov, who is now the Russian bobsled federation president, has been banned for life from any Olympics.

Among the other athletes disqualified and banned is speedskater Olga Fatkulina, who won silver in the 500 meters.

Russia originally topped the medals table in Sochi, but the latest bans drop it to nine gold medals, fewer than Norway and Canada.

In terms of total medals, Russia now has 24, below the United States, Norway and Canada.