Oberhof, Germany (dpa) - Norway′s Petter Northug won the men′s prologue in cross country skiing′s sixth Tour de Ski, while Poland′s Justyna Kowalczyk triumphed in the women′s race.

World Cup leader Northug posted seven minutes 58.3 seconds in the 4km freestyle race, beating title-holder Dario Cologna of Switzerland by 0.7 seconds. France′s Maurice Manificat was third, four seconds back.

Kowalczyk took the 2.5km women′s freestyle prologue in 7:03.7, 0.4 seconds ahead of World Cup leader Marit Bjoergen of Norway and four seconds up on Sweden′s Hanna Brodin.

The tour continues Friday in Oberhof with 10km women′s and 15km men′s races in classic style.

The tour is over eight stages finishing on January 8 in Val di Fiemme, Italy. dpa bwh