Prague  - Since headlines began asking whether Eastern Europe is like an "Argentina on the Danube", those of the region's countries that are in better financial shape have contested that grim image.

A flurry of reports describing Eastern Europe as "the eye of the next financial storm" have included the Czech Republic and Poland despite their economies being seen as capable of weathering the downturn with less damage than some of their neighbours.

As the bad news spreads, traders in far-away financial hubs have been shedding the Czech koruna and Polish zloty alongside currencies in region's troubled spots such as Hungary and Latvia.

Liberec, Czech Republic - Petter Northug anchored Norway to a familiar cross-country relay title while Andreas Kuettel was a surprise ski-jumping winner in a snow-marred event at the Nordic skiing world championships on Friday.

Northug used his famed deadly kick against German Axel Teichmann to give Norway a fifth straight relay title, with Finland third.

Kuettel celebrated his biggest career success when he beat German ex-champion Martin Schmitt and Anders Jacobsen of Norway in a large hill competition held in one round as snowfall denied a full second round.

Liberec, Czech Republic - Petter Northug anchored Norway to a familiar cross-country relay title while Andreas Kuettel was a surprise ski-jumping winner in a snow-marred event at the Nordic skiing world championships on Friday.

Northug used his deadly kick again, against German Axel Teichmann, to give Norway its fifth straight relay title, with Finland third.

Kuettel then celebrated his biggest career success when he beat German Martin Schmitt and Anders Jacobsen of Norway in a large hill competition held in just one round as snowfall twice denied a full second round.

Liberec, Czech Republic  - Andreas Kuettel of Switzerland became surprise large hill ski-jumping world champion on Friday as Austria met disaster in a snow-marred competition held in one round.

Kuettel, 30, soared 133.5 metres for 141.3 points get the gold. Martin Schmitt of Germany came second with 133m for 140.9 points and Anders Jacobsen was third for Norway with 132.5m for 139.5 points.

The results came from the first round as officials tried in vain twice to stage the final round.

Liberec, Czech Republic  - Petter Northug used his deadly kick again, against German Axel Teichmann, to give Norway its fifth straight men's relay cross-country skiing world title on Friday.

The pursuit champion Northug made his trademark staccato steps in the final turn before the home stretch to win the 4x10-kilometres race with Eldar Roenning, Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset and Tore Ruud Hofstad in 1 hour 41 minutes 50.6 seconds.

Liberec, Czech Republic - Petter Northug used his deadly kick again, against German Axel Teichmann, to give Norway its fifth straight men's relay cross-country skiing world title on Friday.

The pursuit champion Northug made his trademark staccato steps in the final turn before the home stretch to win the 4x10-kilometres race with Eldar Roenning, Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset and Tore Ruud Hofstad in 1 hour 41 minutes 50.6 seconds.