Bjornsen Leads in Lillehammer Skiathlon

LILLEHAMMER, Norway (Dec. 5, 2015) - The second weekend of World Cup competition kicked off with a 15k skiathlon on Saturday. The U.S. women had four in the top 30, led by Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) in 20th. Norway’s Therese Johaug has proved to be unstoppable yet again winnng by nearly a minute and a half over Norway’s Heidi Weng and with Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla third.

Skiathlon features a first half of the race using classic technique, then athletes change skis and finish the second half with freestyle technique.

It was the second weekend in a row that Bjornsen has set the pace for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. She was followed in the top 30 by Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) in 25th, Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) in 26th, and Caitlin Gregg (Minneapolis, MN) in 30th.

In the men’s 30k skiathlon, Norway swept the podium for a second consecutive weekend. Martin Sundby skied to first with a 44 second lead over Niklas Dyrhaug with Hans Holund finishing third. Leading the U.S was Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO) who finished 25th followed by Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) in 42nd.

Competition continues Sunday with a 4x5k relay for the women and 4x7.5k for the men. It will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra with women at 4:00 a.m. EST and men at 5:50 a.m. EST.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Norway’s Therese Johaug won the 15k skiathlon by a substantial minute and a half, followed by Norway’s Heidi Weng in second and Charlotte Kalla in third.
• In the men’s 30k skiathlon, Norway swept the podium for a second consecutive weekend. Martin Sundby skied to the win with a 44 second lead over Niklas Dyrhaug and with Hans Holund third.
• Four U.S. women were in the top 30. Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) led the U.S. women in 20th followed by Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) in 25th, Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) in 26th, and Caitlin Gregg (Minneapolis, MN) in 30th.
• Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT) finished 37th.
• Leading the U.S for the men was Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO) who finished 25th followed by Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) in 42nd.
• Competition continues Sunday with a 4x5k relay for the women and 4x7.5k for the men.

STREAMING SCHEDULE (times EST)
Sunday, Dec. 6
4:00 a.m. – Women’s 4x5k relay
5:50 a.m. – Men’s 4x7.5k relay
NBC Sports Live Extra

QUOTES
Sadie Bjornsen
It was an OK day for me today with some super positives and some struggles. I had a tough start—just being in the wrong place at the wrong time on a really thin track—so managed to get pushed back a little too far in the classic. My best pursuit races often come when I have a great classic leg. I was really happy with how I was skiing the hills in the skate leg, but unfortunately kept getting dropped out of the draft on the downhills, so didn't feel like I found my full potential. Regardless of how it went, it was fun to share the Lillehammer vibe and energy out there on the course. Nothing beats racing in Norway with all the fans and excitement!

Noah Hoffman
Today was a good step in the right direction for me. After a lot of fresh snow yesterday followed by rapidly warming temperatures, the skiing was surprisingly good. Honestly I felt like I struggled throughout the race today. It was very painful. However, I was able to ski with some very good skiers and I'm pleased with my progress from last weekend.

Liz Stephen
The race for me today was a good step up from Kuusamo. I scored my first points of the season and I am happy to feel as though I skied the best I could. Today, my goals were to feel calm and relaxed on all the downhills, score points and go like hell on the uphills. I accomplished these goals today so, though I want more, I am happy with my performance. The season is long and our team is just getting started. I am at a point in my classic skiing where I really need kick to be able to do what I know I can do, and I had that. It's a dream to be a member of this team and I am really excited to get our giddy up going tomorrow in the first relay of the season.

Matt Whitcomb, Head Women's Coach
Today was a step in the right direction for the team. We had two athletes ski into the points in distance in Kuusamo last week, while today we had five athletes take points in one of the most competitive World Cups of the season. In addition, Erik Bjornsen posted one of his career-best classic legs before fading in the skate. Still, we are a far step from where we know we can ski. Everyone is confident in the direction we are headed. The team is healthy again, and we are staged to do well in tomorrow’s relays.The conditions today were again warm, so the cold snow that fell on Friday was quickly changing. Our service team threw everything in the box at the glazing tracks today and put some very good skis in the race. 

RESULTS
Men’s 30k Skiathlon
Women’s 15k Skiathlon