Bjornsen Leads U.S. in Fourth Tour de Ski Stage

TOBLACH, Italy (January 7, 2015) – Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) again paced the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team, taking eighth place in the fourth stage of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. For the men, Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) led the U.S. in 58^th place.

The Norwegian women continued their dominance, sweeping the 5k individual start classic event, with Marit Bjoergen taking first, Therese Johaug second and Heidi Weng third.

“I went out harder than ever, and tried to hammer as hard as possible everywhere,” Bjornsen said about her race. “The last half a kilometer was flat and the final hill before the finish I bobbled a bit, but everything else I felt I put together as well as I could.” 

Coach Matt Whitcomb celebrated Sadie’s consistency in the Tour. “We have been continually inspired by Sadie's racing. Today was no different,” said Whitcomb. “She made a plan and executed it.“

Bjornsen will soon abandon the Tour to maintain her season goal of success at the World Championships. “It’s a hard pill to swallow given she is leaving while in the top ten,” related Whitcomb. “But you'll likely see something similar with an athlete or two from other top teams. “

Bjornsen was joined in the World Cup points by teammate Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN), who finished 19^th and Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) who finished 29^th.  

Erik Bjornsen skied to 58th in the fourth stage of the men's Tour de Ski. (Getty Images-Agence Zoom/Vianney Thibaut)

In the men’s 10k, Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) led the U.S. in 58^th place. Alexey Poltoranin from Kazakhstan finished first, Russia’s Evgeniy Belov second and Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby third.

The Tour de Ski continues on January 8 with a 15K/35K freestyle pursuit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sadie Bjornsen led the U.S. team with an 8^th place in the fourth stage of the Tour de Ski, a 5k individual classic race.
• This was Marit Bjorgen’s (NOR) fourth consecutive Tour de Ski stage win.

QUOTES
Sadie Bjornsen
I went out harder than ever, and tried to hammer as hard as possible. I broke the course into six intervals in my head, six really hard working sections, which helped me continue to hammer every possible section. The last half of kilometer was flat and a final hill before the finish that I maybe bobbled a bit, but everything else I felt I put together as best as possible.

I am managing this tour with a lot of rest, a lot of smiling, and am just having a ton of fun. The happier I am, the faster I race. I just love this exhausting "battle."

It will be really hard to drop out tomorrow, because I am having so much fun! But, I have goals in Falun this year that I want to chase after, so it isn't a time to get too greedy.

I had a great four days of racing, and now it is time to rest, and start into another good block of racing.

Before participating in the Tour this year, I had no idea how much travel, and packing, and "behind the scenes" was involved. It is so fun, and also very funny. Sometimes, I literally feel like I am part of a circus!

Matt Whitcomb, Coach
We have been continually inspired by Sadie's racing. Today was no different. This is an athlete that trained hard through period one, rested over Christmas in France, and now has been able to race hard in the Tour de Ski.  

She made a plan and executed it. She will soon abandon the Tour in order to stay in touch with her season goals of success at world championships. That's a hard pill to swallow given she is leaving while in the top ten, but you'll likely something similar with an athlete or two from other top teams.  

Today's race was strong also for Jessie and Liz. Jessie climbed a bit higher in the ranks while the Toblach 5k is just about maintaining position for Liz. She is now positioned to meet her tour goals in the last three competitions.  

RESULTS
Women's official results
Men's official results