Diggins Remains USA Leader at Tour de Ski
OBERSTDORF, Germany (January 6, 2016) – Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) led the U.S. women’s team finishing 23rd with Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) following close behind in 26th in a 10k classic mass start on Wednesday. After five stages of the Tour de Ski, Diggins and Bjornsen still remain in the top 15 standing 12th and 14th respectively.
Diggins got off to a fast start, skiing just back from the leaders in the top 10 for the first few kilometers. But then she settled back, skiing with Bjornsen and taking turns leading one another.
“It was a challenging day out there today,” said Bjornsen. “The course was tough yet exciting! Unfortunately I didn't have the skis to compete today. I didn't give up for a second and kept fighting for the tour, but the result won't show it today.”
Norway’s women’s team swept the podium once again. Therese Johaug claimed another distance victory but Ingvild Oestberg challenged Johaug the majority of the race up until 7.3k where Johaug remained in the lead until the finish. Oestberg was only 9.9 seconds behind followed by Heidi Weng in third.
In the men’s 15k classic mass start, Norway was absent from the podium and Kazakhstan, Switzerland and Italy claimed the coveted spots. Throughout the race, the leader of the pack seemed to change at every kilometer check mark, leaving the finish unpredictable. Kazakhstan’s Alexey Poltoranin and Switzerland’s Dario Cologna ended the race in a photo finish, but Poltoranin narrowly out lunged Cologna to win by a toe, 0.1 seconds ahead. Italy’s Francesco De Fabiani finished close behind in third just 0.6 seconds back. The top twenty men were all within less than a minute from first.
The skiers will have one day off to travel to Toblach, Italy. Stage 6 of the Tour will continue Friday, with a 10/5k freestyle race.
HIGHLIGHTS
- It was only the second time in the World Cup this season that Norway has not been on the podium in the men’s competition. The other race being the sprints in Toblach, Italy where Simi Hamilton took second overall.
- Norway’s Martin Sundby still leads the overall Tour standings despite showing weakness in the 15k classic mass start finishing 23rd. He still remains +47.2 seconds ahead of teammate Petter Northug.
- Ingvild Oestberg still leads in the women’s Tour standings by 12.2 seconds ahead of Johaug.
- Jessie Diggins is the top American in the Tour standings in 12th, Sadie Bjornsen 14th, Sophie Caldwell (Peru, VT) 23rd, Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) 28th, Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT) 40th, Caitlin Gregg (Minneapolis, MN) 44th and Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT) 55th.
- Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO) led the U.S. men in 41st with Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) 58th. Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) did not finish the race and will now retire from the Tour.
- Stage six of the Tour de Ski will feature a 10k/15k freestyle race in Toblach, Italy.
BROADCAST
Wed. Jan. 6
3:00 p.m. - 15k/10k classic, Oberstdorf - Universal HD
QUOTES
Jessie Diggins
I stayed fighting as hard as I could today, and my body felt pretty good but unfortunately I didn't ask for enough kick wax beforehand and was doing some slipping on the hills today. That was my fault, but I'm ready for a fun skate race in Toblach!
Sadie Bjornsen
It was a challenging day out there today. The course was tough yet exciting! Unfortunately I didn't have the skis to compete today. I didn't give up for a second and kept fighting for the tour, but the result won't show it today. After a fall yesterday in the qualification and challenging skis today, I am more than looking forward to putting some skate skis on! I have more to give, so let's keep this fight going!
RESULTS
Men’s 15k Classic Mass Start
Women’s 10k Classic Mass Start
TOUR STANDINGS (After five stages)
Men's Tour de Ski standings
Women's Tour de Ski standings
