Diggins and Bjornsen Crack Top 10 at Tour de Ski
LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland (January, 3 2016) – Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) and Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) skied into the top 10 to lead the U.S. team in stage three, a 5k freestyle pursuit, at the Tour de Ski Sunday.
“I had a speedy Jessie to hang on to, which helped a lot,” said Bjornsen, who skied to ninth on the day, one position behind Diggins. “I knew Jessie was going to be strong, so I just made it my goal to stick on to her like glue.”
For the second day in a row, the Norwegian women’s team swept the podium, but a new face stood on top with Ingvild Oestberg taking the victory. Therese Johaug started the 5k pursuit with a 4.5 second lead, but with 2k left, Oestberg made an impressive move past Johaug to claim the victory. Heidi Weng finished third.
Once again, Diggins and Bjornsen showed impressive teamwork in the pursuit event. Diggins had a last burst of energy in the home stretch catching Finland’s Krista Parmakoski fighting for seventh, but was out-lunged at the finish.
“Coming into the last corner I used the draft to pass Krista but hit an ice patch and skidded out wide,” Diggins said. “That one bobble that cost me a place but no overall time in the tour.”
“This is far and away the best start in the tour I've ever had and I'm super psyched,” Diggins added.
Diggins and Bjornsen remain eighth and ninth overall in the Tour de Ski standings with four stages remaining. Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) moved up to 22nd overall after solid efforts in the past two stages.
Martin Sundby was in a league of his own in the men’s 10k freestyle pursuit, leading another podium sweep for the Norwegian squad. Sundby started the pursuit event 1:18 minutes a head of teammate Petter Northug and continued to increase his lead to the finish. Finn Krogh moved his way into third place with the fastest time of the day.
Next up, stage four moves to Oberstdorf, Germany for a classic sprint.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Johaug had won seven consecutive World Cup distance competitions entering today’s competition.
- With the fastest time of the day Norway’s Finn Hagen Krogh, moved his way into third place in the overall 1:50.2 behind Sundby.
- Sophie Caldwell finished 27th, Caitlin Gregg 37th, Rosie Brennan 42nd and Ida Sargent 47th.
- Noah Hoffman led the U.S. men with a solid 25th place finish. Erik Bjornsen 33rd, Simi Hamilton, 69th and Andy Newell, 76th.
- The Tour rests one day and begins again on the January 5, 2016 in Oberstdorf, Germany. Oberstdorf will host stages four and five, with a classic sprint and a 15/10k classic mass start.
QUOTES
Jessie Diggins
Today was a solid day for me. Not quite the 5km skate I was hoping for but I'll definitely take it.
Krista and I traded leads the whole way and it was really great working with her, and of course sweet to have Sadie having a great skate race!
Coming into the last corner I used the draft to pass Krista but hit an ice patch and skidded out wide. That was one bobble that cost me a place but no overall time in the tour.
This is far and away the best start in the tour I've ever had and I'm super psyched!
Sadie Bjornsen
It was another fun day of the tour. I had a speedy Jessie to hang on to, which helped a lot! I knew Jessie was going to be strong, so I just made it my goal to stick on to her like glue.
I feel really lucky to have a teammate to chase on a day like today, it helps my head a lot. Big thanks to the wax crew for great skis for a third day.
BROADCAST (times EST)
Sunday, Jan. 3
4:00 p.m. - 10/5k pursuit – Universal HD
Tuesday, Jan. 5
5:00 a.m. - Classic Sprints - NBC Sports Live Extra
RESULTS
Men’s 10k Pursuit
Women’s 5k Pursuit
TOUR STANDINGS (After 3 stages)
Men’s Overall
Women’s Overall
Men’s Team Overall
Women’s Team Overall
TOUR DE SKI SCHEDULE
Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)
Tuesday, Jan. 5 - Oberstdorf
5:00 a.m. - Classic sprint, Oberstdorf - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
3:00 p.m. - Classic sprint, Oberstdorf - Universal HD
Wednesday, Jan. 6 - Oberstdorf
8:15 a.m. - Women's 10k classic, Oberstdorf - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
9:15 a.m. - Men's 15k classic, Oberstdorf - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
3:00 p.m. - 15k/10k classic, Oberstdorf - Universal HD
Friday, Jan. 8 - Toblach
5:30 a.m. - Men's 10k freestyle, Toblach - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
7:30 a.m. - Women's 5k freestyle, Toblach - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
5:00 p.m. - 10k/5k freestyle, Toblach - Universal HD
Saturday, Jan. 9 - Val di Fiemme
6:30 a.m. - Women's 10k classic mass start, Val di Fiemme - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
8:30 a.m. - Men's 15k class mass start, Val di Fiemme - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
7:00 p.m. - 15k/10k classic, Val di Fiemme - Universal HD
Sunday, Jan. 10 - Val di Fiemme
8:00 a.m. - Women's 9k hill climb, Val di Fiemme - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
9:40 a.m. - Men's 9k hill climb - NBC Live Extra - LIVE STREAM
7:00 p.m. - Hill climb finale, Val di Fiemme - Universal HD
