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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: 2021 Tour de Ski

  • Klæbo Takes the Win in Tour de Ski Stage 1 Freestyle Sprint; Ogden and Bolger Qualify Top 10; Three Americans in Heats

    Klæbo Takes the Win in Tour de Ski Stage 1 Freestyle Sprint; Ogden and Bolger Qualify Top 10; Three Americans in Heats

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and the A Hall Mark of Excellence Award.  To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

     

    To set the scene for the Tour de Ski, briefly turn to an episode from the event that inspired it. Cue “the Badger,” Bernard Hinault, who at the start of the 1985 Tour de France reduced the three week race down to one question: “Look at the results last year – Laurent Fignon first, me second and Greg Lemond third. Now Fignon won’t be there. What answer do you get?”

    The answer: Lemond and Hinault would battle as teammates in the greatest editions of the Tour de France ever in ‘85 and ‘86. In the end, Lemond “slayed the Badger,” besting Hinault to win the Tour in ‘86 and establish the Americans as winners at the Tour.

    An American flag flies in Lenzerheide as the Tour de Ski kicks off Stage 1. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Switch seasons, sports, and circumstance and we can reduce this year’s Men’s Tour de Ski (TDS) to one question too: Look at the results last year – Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) first, Maurice Manificat (FRA) second, Denis Spitsov (RUS) third. Johannes Høesflot Klæbo (NOR) was not there. Now he is back. What answer do you get?

    The answer: Klæbo.

    In the first stage of this year’s Tour de Ski at Lenzerheide, the Overall and Sprint leader of the World Cup came into the freestyle sprint, and looked in control each time he headed out on the 1.5-kilometer course, winning the qualifier (2:36.66) before cruising through the quarterfinals and semi-finals to keep his yellow World Cup Sprint leader’s bib as he exited the final.

    But back-up, and you see another parallel to Lemond at cycling’s Tour, with today’s stage marking the ascendancy of the Americans. They put three in the top 30, with Ben Ogden finishing qualifying in 5th place (+5.81sec), Kevin Bolger in 9th place (+6.62), and Logan Hanneman in 30th (+9.78).

    Logan Hanneman skis through to the quarterfinals, finishing 30th in qualification. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    In the quarterfinals the first three heats were marked by somewhat conservative tactical posturing, with a field figuring out how to race the course at Lenzerheide after a two year absence. There was a good reason too. The two 750m laps are marked by a steep initial climb that after a turn gives way to a long downhill whose end is a sharp left into the stadium. That sharp left proved time and again to eliminate the gaps that attacking skiers tried to create on the first climb. It also led to opportunities to find a good position for the final sprint and pick up places in the field.

    That was how Klæbo looked to race the first quarterfinal of the day, following Lucas Chanavat (FRA) into the second downhill before launching to the outside to capture the heat in the final stretch. Logan Hanneman seemed to mirror Klæbo’s moves through the heat, tucking in behind him on the downhill the 2nd time but finding that he hadn’t pushed with the same energy, as he said in comments to Fasterskier: “Klaebo and Chanavat pushed harder than I did over the top of the climb on the second lap and all of the sudden then had some meters on me. It’s easy to think that others had faster skis than myself today since I got passed on the long downhill the second lap, but that probably only because I didn’t see what they were doing behind me. I am sure they skated harder than I did and built up more energy to come by me.” Hanneman finished the heat in 5th place.

    Kevin Bolger leading out his quarterfinal after qualifying 9th. Bolger finished the heat in 4th place, missing out on a lucky loser semi-final bid by just .76 seconds. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Bolger and Ogden opted to race out of the 4th and 5th quarterfinal, respectively, being the top qualifier in each. In contrast to Hanneman’s approach, the two both went with the strategy of leading out the field and trying for the gap on the first downhill. Both Ogden and Bolger’s attacks had the effect of animating their heats, which led to full bore racing for the entirety of the 1.5k course and eventually faster times across the field.

    Their aggressive racing was foiled by the sharp left turn into the finishing straight, with the fields coming together and both Ogden and Bolger losing their position at the front of the field.

    Bolger came across the line of his heat in 4th place, but his move early on to set a fast pace for the heat paid off, temporarily earning him a lucky loser spot. After the 5th heat though, where Ogden finished in 5th, Bolger was knocked out of the final lucky loser spot by Alexander Terentev (RUS) by less than 0.8 seconds.

    Ben Ogden leads his heat over the first climb on course in Lenzerheide, SUI. Ogden qualified 5th. www.nordicfocus.com. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Still, the Americans’ quarterfinal performances left them in a strong position to challenge for the points classification, which will now turn to intermediate sprint primes at various checkpoints within the next two stages’ distance races.

    It also left a semi-final field filled with familiar races from Tour de Ski’s past. Richard Jouve (FRA), Lucas Chanavat (FRA), and last year’s champion in the TDS Sprint Freestyle stage Fredrico Pellegrino (ITA). The younger sprinters who have featured on sprint podiums this season, Alexander Terentev (RUS) and Erik Valnes (NOR), were there too. Notably, last year’s Tour de Ski overall and points champion Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) was not, after being finishing 3rd place in his quarterfinal.

    And, of course, there was Klæbo.

    In the first-semi final, as the Frenchmen Jouve and Chanavat moved to the front of the pack at the beginning of the heat, Klæbo tucked in right behind them. As they came out of the first lap, Klæbo followed Pellegrino’s attack on the climb, but didn’t really look to make his move until the last downhill. Here he demonstrated an approach to the climb that was absent elsewhere in the men’s field the rest of the day, sprinting in a tuck skate to hit the apex of the final turn in a way that shut the door on the rest of the field. 

    Did he have the purest burst of speed on the finishing stretch? Probably. But it was already over before he hit that stretch, and he crossed comfortably in first place.

    Lucas Chavanat (FRA) leads Johannes Høesflot Klæbo into the downhill during their semi-final. www.nordicfocus.com. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Chanavat and Jouve’s attacks early in the race had a similar effect on the semi-final as the Americans did in the quarterfinal. The first semi-final proved to be the faster field, and so Jouve (2nd), Chanavat (3rd), and Pellegrino (4th) all progressed to the final.

    There they were joined by two more Norwegians, Pål Golberg and Erik Valnes, who followed their countrymen’s lead in the second semi-final heat to out-sprint Renaud Jay (FRA).

    The final followed the pattern established in the previous round. Chanavat and Jouve seemed mindful that their chance to beat Klæbo most likely lied in a long-burn attack that saw him, Valnes and Golberg left out of the pack going into the second lap. Unfortunately, again, that attack met the long downhill sharp left turn.

    Klæbo seemed content to simply keep up with Pellegrino as he made a move on the final climb of the day, before sweeping to the outside and attacking the final downhill to leave the rest behind before that pesky left turn could shake-up the field again. He crossed in first place, with Jouve in 2nd (+.99) and Chanavat in 3rd (+1.26).

    Klaebo comes across the finishline 1st place, with Richard Jouve (FRA) and Lucas Chanavat in tow (FRA). (Photo: NordicFocus)

    With the win, he established himself on an early, but clear path, to retake the Tour’s Overall and Point classifications after missing last year. His win today also helped him move up the ranks in the Tour’s history, passing Dario Cologna and Martin Johnsrud Sundby’s 7 stage wins to move him into 3rd all-time with 8 – behind Sergey Ustiugov (9), and Petter Northug (13). He also extended his all-time individual sprint stage lead in TDS history to 5.

    So while we came into today’s stage with one question, we head towards tomorrow’s 15km with many. Just how much more history can Klæbo make? Will Bolshunov re-establish himself as a contender? And where do the American men go from here in this year’s Tour de Ski?

    Men’s podium in Lenzerheide after the first stage of the Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    For now, the Yellow bib (“le bavoir juane” anyone?) remains on Klæbo’s shoulders, and our eyes on Lenzerheide tomorrow.

    Zak Ketterson comes over the climb in his World Cup debut. Ketterson finished 72nd on the day. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    After the semi and final rounds were decided, Bolger ended his day in 16th (+1.75), with Ogden in 21st (+1.94), and Hanneman in 25th (+5.70).

    The rest of the American men also showed strong results in the qualifier today. Luke Jager finished in 45th (+12.57), with Gus Schumacher in 55th (+13.95). Minnesota’s very own Zak Ketterson also made his World Cup debut, finishing in 72nd (+16.37) after qualifying for the Tour de Ski as the men’s SuperTour leader after racing Period 1 back in the States.

    On his race into the quarterfinals today, Logan Hanneman said “I’m feeling pretty good after today, but still longing for more. It has been a very slow and disappointing start to the season for me, for reasons I can’t explain. I am happy to be seeing progress in the right direction the last two sprints that I have done, but there is still a lot of work left to be done to reach my goals. I am looking forward to trying my hand at some distance races starting tomorrow!”

    Post-race interview with Matt Whitcomb on the course in Lenzerheide, which has suited Americans well over the years, along with additional comments on the men’s and women’s races.

    Gus Schumacher during qualifying in Lenzerheide during stage 1. Schumacher finished 55th. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Results from Stage 1:

    Qualifier | Finals

  • Diggins Becomes the First North American to Win the Tour de Ski

    Diggins Becomes the First North American to Win the Tour de Ski

    Raw emotion as Jessie Diggins becomes the first North American to win the overall Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    Though Devon Kershaw might fairly say “It’s not really cross country skiing,” as a viewer, the grueling climb up the Alpe Cermis is the crown jewel of the Tour de Ski. Sure, it is both impressive and visually appealing to watch beautiful technique and tactical racing, but there is nothing quite like watching racers toil through the lactic burn of grinding their way 400 meters up a ski area, at times with over 40% grade. Wheels come off, gaps close quickly, anything can happen. 

    Here’s how today shook out.

    After nearly 50 kilometers of racing over seven stages, skiers take to the tracks one last time in Val di Fiemme, first for a lap of the sprint course, then soaring along the river banks along the narrow winding track of the Marcialonga, Italy’s WorldLoppet series classic. And, as camera angles altered from shots of the Swedes that set pace down the valley, controlling the narrative from the front while still conserving energy for the climb over the final 2k, to breathtaking aerial views of the frosted valley, it is clear why Marcialonga organizers refer to Val di Fiemme as a “Italian cradle of cross-country skiing”.

    An aerial view of the storied venue in Val di Fiemme, Italy. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    After a thrilling set of four podium finishes, including back-to-back distance wins in Toblach, all eyes were on Jessie Diggins. She entered the final stage wearing the yellow bib with a lead of 55 seconds in the overall standings. Given the beastly nature of the climb, this time margin certainly did not indicate that Diggins had her first Tour de Ski win in the bag. 

    To add to the energy, two sprint opportunities for bonus points were available at the 2.5 and 6.6 k checkpoints, this alternate leaderboard adding interest and incentive for sprinters to remain in the Tour.

    Linn Svahn on the Alpe Cermis- she helped pace Andersson early in the stage and won three stages in this edition of the Tour. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Point leader and winner of both sprint stages, Sweden’s Linn Svahn charged off the front of the pack at the 2.5 k mark, collecting 15 bonus points with her teammate Ebba Andersson hot on her tails. The two quickly allowed the pack to close the nearly 4-second gap, but Andersson remained at the front, pulling away to create a gap of over 10 seconds at the 6.6 k mark, which she kept as the grade inclined. 

    Perhaps trying to lure Diggins to push too hard too soon, perhaps she had her eye on the TdS podium, or perhaps just looking to be the queen of the hill and win her first World Cup, it was clear that Andersson wanted to dictate the pace from the front in the back half of the mass start event.

    Sweden’s Ebba Andersson takes the stage win, and placed third overall in the Tour. (Photo: NirdicFocus)

    Andersson was the epitome of steady as she worked her way up the climb. She could V2 when the grade was humane, and smoothly transitioned between her V1 and the “coach’s skate” required to keep skis gliding on the steepest pitches. 

    While the Swede remained composed, Diggins displayed the grit and perseverance for which she is beloved as a racer. Though Andersson was more than two minutes back in cumulative time heading into the final stage and the remainder of the field behind her, Diggins left nothing to chance, giving her all as she pushed every meter. Holding her ground, the American kept her time back on the leader even and tight, hovering around nine seconds throughout the climb. 

    Like everyone, even Diggins rides the struggle bus up the Alpe Cermis. Diggins, however, motored to a Tour de Ski overall win on Sunday. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Jessie Diggins racing to second on the stage and first overall in the Tour de Ski atop the Alpe Cermis. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    With less than a kilometer to go, head coach Matt Whitcomb cheered from a switchback as Diggins passed, his excited shouts leaving him nearly as breathless as the athletes. Pine boughs tucked into the snow to create the final lanes as Andersson and Diggins headed toward the inflated arch that offered relief from the pain in their bodies. 

    Ebba Andersson (SWE) chugging along in front for the Stage 8 win. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    With the end in sight, Andersson with a poker face V2’ed through the finish while a slack-jawed Diggins held together in V1 to cross the final meters and collapse over the finish line. 

    Finally, the Tour de Ski victory was hers and she could simply lie in the snow, chest rising and falling with her labored gasps for air. More than a win, this achievement makes Diggins the first American — in fact, the first non-European — man or woman winner in the 15-year history of the Tour. She also sits atop the leaderboard for Overall World Cup standings. 

    Victory and relief, Jessie Diggins completes the climb up the Alpe Cermis to win the overall 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Exhausted, Jessie Diggins crosses the line second in the stage to hold onto her lead in the overall Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “This was a lifelong goal,” Diggins told FIS after her race. “We had an amazing team atmosphere this whole time, and amazing support and help, and so many cheers from around the world — it really gave me wings up the hill today.”

    The interviewer asked what this result meant in light of a World Championship season, as completing the arduous Tour in such a year could be seen as a risk. If an athlete cannot recover properly in the subsequent six weeks, their potential on the championship stage could be compromised. Diggins’ answer looked through a wide-angle lens. 

    “It means so much. I think it’s so cool for our country to show that it’s possible. And now I’m looking forward to resting.”

    Jessie Diggins wins the overall 2021 Tour de Ski and sits at the top of the overall World Cup standings. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    On the top step of the podium, Jessie Diggins is the 2021 Tour de Ski winner. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Jessie Diggins becomes the first North American skier to win the Tour de Ski in its 15 year history. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Behind the two leaders, France’s Delphine Claudel crossed the line in 3rd (+32.6). Evidencing the “anything can happen on the Alpe Cermis” sentiment, Claudel sat in 19th in the overall standings leading into the final stage and had never before earned a World Cup podium, though she was 7th in the 10 k skate in Stage 4. The 24-year-old overtook Russia’s Yulia Stupak in the final kilometer, closing a 12 second gap and creating a nearly 8 second one of her own. 

    Stupak held on for 4th place (+40.0), followed after a gap by teammate Tatiana Sorina (+1:04.3) rounding out the top five.

    Yulia Stupak of Russia here on the Alpe Cermis, placed second overall in the Tour. She won two stages, and podiumed in four others. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    With this result, Stupak held her ground in second place for the overall TdS standings, finishing 1:24.8 behind Diggins in cumulative time. Andersson’s outstanding climb was a springboard, advancing her from 6th to 3rd (+2:00.8). Recall that Andersson did not make the heats in Stage 1 of the Tour and finished 12th and 18th, respectively, in the second and third stages. Landing on the podium four times in the final five stages fueled her steady rise through the ranks.

    Today’s queen of the Alpe Cermis, Sweden’s Ebba Anderson set the fastest time in the final stage of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    A good day for Sweden, Ebba Andersson wins Stage 8 of the Tour de Ski to finish 3rd overall, while Linn Svahn takes home the victory in the point standings. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Adding reason for Swedish team celebration, Svahn was the winner in the point totals, with Diggins in second and Slovenia’s Anamarija Lampic in third.

    Rosie Brennan, here in the Alpe Cermis, animated this Tour and finishes a career best 6th overall. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Closing out a career best finish in the Tour de Ski, Rosie Brennan was the 7th woman up the hill (+1:17.8) to finish 6th in the overall standings. Brennan’s previous best finishes in the TdS overall were 15th last season and 24th the season prior. 

    “I love the final climb because of its simplicity and the feeling of accomplishment of reaching the top,” wrote Brennan in an email after the race. “I knew there was an opportunity to make up some places today so I set out with intention. Unfortunately, I stuck a tip in the powder on the side of the trail on the Marcialonga portion leading into the climb and took another digger. Luckily, I didn’t lose much time, but was then at the back of the pack and knew that if I was going to make the most of the climb, I needed to be ready for the breaks as soon as we hit the bottom. I worked really hard to make up the places that I could and then really went for it when we reached the climb to try to get into the leading group. It was my only option at the time, but definitely took a little more energy than I had hoped. I had a moment of weakness when I hit the first steep pitch and lost the ride I needed to take. I was able to recollect myself and hold strong, but frustratingly missed top 5 by a mere 4 seconds. 6th place is absolutely a career best and I am proud of my effort of fighting back after the disaster that was stage 6, but I always want more of myself and those 4 seconds certainly sting a bit.”

    The end in sight, Rosie Brennan finishes 7th in the hill climb and 6th in the overall Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “It was inspiring to watch Jessie put so much fight in every day and that certainly inspires me to find more,” Brennan continued. “I couldn’t think of a better person to take the yellow bib off my back. I am also really excited to hold onto the red [World Cup distance leader] bib! The Tour de Ski is always a new experience and always requires a lot of fight. I am thankful to have been able to race the event this year and am really looking forward to some recovery!”

    Antonia Fraebel (GER) and Hailey Swirbul (USA) behind, during Stage 8. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Hailey Swirbul skied the 15th fastest time today, bumping her up to 18th in the overall Tour standings. The 22-year-old is in good company with this result, considering the only other American women to finish in the top-20 of the Tour de Ski are Jessie Diggins, Kikkan Randall, Rosie Brennan, Sadie Maubet Bjornsen, and Liz Stephen. 

    Hailey Swirbul, another American high point, placed 15th on the day and 18th overall. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Katharine Ogden finished 24th (+2:34.5) up the climb for 23rd overall in the Tour, while Caitlin Patterson rounded out the Americans in the top-30 finishing 27th (+2:42.9) in Stage 8. Patterson was 34th in the overall TdS standings. 

    Katharine Ogden V1-grinding on the Stage 8 final climb. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Caitlin Patterson climbs to 27th in the final stage of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Finally, Julia Kern skied to 37th today (+3:41.3) to end the Tour in 38th.

    – Gavin Kentch contributed

    This story will be updated with additional comments from athletes when available.

    Stage 8 Final Results 

    Overall Tour de Ski: Cumulative Time | Point Standings

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXmh3OqBkY8&fbclid=IwAR3YUhS8-zkT0FlOzaCutt6X44Ax8IPLlH9JDyFR2YkuK_FVhWq28WkTf64

     

  • Svahn Leads Another Swedish Triple; Diggins Retains Overall Tour Lead

    Svahn Leads Another Swedish Triple; Diggins Retains Overall Tour Lead

    Triple Swedish podium: Maja Dahlqvist (SWE) second, Linn Svahn (SWE) first, and Emma Ribom (SWE) third, (l-r) (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com. 

    It was a cloudy day in Val di Fiemme, Italy for Stage 7 of the Tour de Ski. Today marked the final event before the looming Alpe Cermis hillclimb, with the athletes completing a classic sprint where the inside line on a corner could mean the difference between advancing or not and precious seconds for the overall tour.

    Linn Svahn (SWE) on a tear through qualifying and beyond. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Linn Svahn of Sweden won the qualifier in a time of 3:11.98. For the U.S. women, four of the six remaining tour participants qualified for the heats with Jessie Diggins 8th, Julia Kern 10th, Hailey Swirbul 13th, and Rosie Brennan 17th. Katharine Ogden and Caitlin Patterson placed 36th and 39th, respectively. Kern and Swirbul were both knocked out in their quarterfinals. Diggins and Brennan were seeded in the second semi-final where they finished 5th and 6th, respectively.

    Julia Kern (USA) double poles through qualifying to place 10th. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    After today’s sprint Brennan wrote, “It was a very tight turn around from yesterday’s race and today’s race, so after an extremely tough day yesterday, I wasn’t sure how my body would fare today. In the quarterfinal, I finally found a little bit of snap and was very happy to move on to the semifinal. Jessie and I were in a very fast semifinal heat which certainly gives you the best chance of a lucky loser, but I just didn’t have the power I need to get those few extra places. This was the first time I have made it to the semis in a classic sprint so I’m happy to have crossed that barrier.”

    Rosie Brennan (USA) gets some vertical down the finish straight in her quarterfinal. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Advancing to the final was Linn Svahn, Maja Dahlqvist and Emma Ribom of Sweden, Natalia Neprayaeva and Tatiana Sorina of Russia, and Krista Pärmäkoski of Finland. Svahn, who won both her quarter and semi-final heats in addition to the qualifier, looked to be the favorite. As the racers came into the final corner above the descent to the stadium all six were still in podium contention. Neprayaeva led with Svahn tucked in behind her, ready to slingshot into the final straightaway. Echoing her tactic from the earlier rounds, Svahn did exactly that, pulling away to take her second sprint victory in this year’s Tour de Ski. Behind her, Dahlqvist placed second and Ribom third to make a triple Swedish podium.

    Three happy Swedes following a podium sweep. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This is a maiden podium finish for Ribom. Her previous personal best came in Ruka at the start of the 2020/21 season where she finished 6th in the classic sprint.

    Emma Ribom’s (SWE) first individual World Cup podium finish. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “It was so so fun,” said Svahn after the race, “I said to Maja [Dahlqvist] before the final, ‘OK let’s do a triple again’. And it’s all so amazing to be inside with the Swedish girls, we are such a strong team. I am so glad to be a part of this, it’s so so fun.”

    The Swedish women are renowned for their sprinting, in fact, they opened the season in Ruka with a triple podium where Svahn once again took gold followed by Dahlqvist and Jonna Sundling placed third. 

    Many raised hands, Linn Svahn (SWE) takes gold ahead of teammates Maja Dahlqvist and Emma Ribom. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    For Svahn (age 21), this victory makes her the youngest woman to win multiple sprint stages in the Tour de Ski. In addition to winning the opening sprint in Val Müstair, she took gold in the 10 k classic mass start the following day. Today marks her fourth win of the season and seventh win in total.

    Braids flying for Jessie Diggins (USA) as Maja Dahlqvist (SWE), Rosie Brennan (USA) and Yulia Stupak (RUS) (r-l) close out in the semi-final. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    After her elimination in the semi-final, Diggins finished in 10th place for the day. “That was a good day today,” she wrote, “Once again, so incredibly proud of our staff for all their hard work and for the amazing skis they keep giving us! I did exactly what I needed to out there today in terms of the overall tour. I would have loved to make the finals since my body was feeling great, but that’s just a little extra energy in the bank for tomorrow! Focused on one moment at a time, and ready to absolutely destroy myself on that hill climb tomorrow. The only thing I know for sure is that I’ll be crossing that finish line with absolutely nothing left! I’m proud of this team and what we’ve accomplished together, and excited to go charging one last time.”

    Diggins and Brennan lunge for the line in semi-final number two. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    Overall Tour Standings: 

    Leading into the final day of racing, Diggins holds the lead, +54 seconds ahead of Russia’s Yulia Stupak in second. Frida Karlsson of Sweden, who was in third place in the tour standings, withdrew from the tour before today’s race. Karlsson sustained an injury from strength training earlier in the week and cited this as a reason for her withdrawal. With the absence of Karlsson, Parmakoski (FIN) moves into third place in the overall rankings (+1:51). Just seven seconds behind her is Neprayaeva (RUS) who finished second in last year’s edition of the Tour de Ski. 

    Also for the U.S., Brennan remains in 7th place, starting +2:19 after Diggins. Looking towards tomorrow Brennan said, “I am still in the fight for a strong overall and am looking forward to duking it out on the hill tomorrow.” 

    Swirbul will start in 18th (+5:46), Ogden in 22nd (+7:28), Patterson in 34th (+10:53) and Kern 38th (+13:16). 

    The Tour concludes tomorrow with the final hillclimb up the Alpe Cermis.

    Women’s Final | Women’s Qualifier | Women’s Overall 

     

     

  • Nepryaeva Earns Win Number Two for Russia in Stage 6 of the Tour de Ski; Diggins Retains Overall Lead

    Nepryaeva Earns Win Number Two for Russia in Stage 6 of the Tour de Ski; Diggins Retains Overall Lead

    The women’s 10 k classic mass start gets underway in the 6th stage of Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme, Italy. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com. 

    With just three more races remaining in the 2021 Tour de Ski, the women toed the start line for today’s 10 k classic mass start. The conditions were a gift of stable bluebird weather, sub-freezing temperatures, and tracks mostly in shade against a backdrop of sun on the opposite side of the valley. Jessie Diggins of the U.S. started at the head of the crowd, wearing the yellow leader’s bib, with a lead of twenty-two seconds over teammate Rosie Brennan in the overall standings. 

    Out of the start gate, in the 6th stage of Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme, Italy. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    As the race unfolded, however, it was not the tour leaders who took center stage. The pack largely stayed together for the first two of the four laps, until Ebba Andersson of Sweden took charge. Pushing hard out of the stadium onto the third lap, Andersson splintered the group. The Val di Fiemme course is notoriously difficult to pull away on though Andersson gave it her best shot. At 7.5 k she kept pressing her advantage though Katherina Hennig of Germany was only +1.5 seconds behind.

    Ebba Andersson (SWE) controls the pace on her way to a third-place finish in the 10 k classic mass start. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    Eventually, Andersson was caught by Hennig and Natalia Nepryaeva of Russia. Cresting the final climb, Napryaeva had the advantage and she crossed the finish line in first, making today a double Russian victory. “It was a tough battle,” said Nepraeva through a translator, “I am very happy with the result and hope the shape is getting better.” Hennig took silver, her second career World Cup podium after finishing third last year in this same event. Andersson placed third. 

    Natalia Nepryaeva (RUS) poses for the cameras following her win in the 10 k classic mass start. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    In a translated interview with the German broadcaster ZDF, Henning said, “I wanted to get back on the podium some time. But I really wouldn’t have expected that it works out like that today. I wanted to orient myself towards the front of the pack, but then in the beginning of the race briefly had a problem behind Rosie Brennan who tangled up. So I had to invest a lot of energy to get back in front. That it then worked out in the end… I can’t really grasp it yet.” 

    Katharina Hennig (GER) strides her way to second for the German squad. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    For the Americans, Diggins ended the day in 9th place twenty-four seconds back, after fading over the last lap.

    “Today was a big day for me in terms of mental toughness,” emailed Diggins. “My body was numb from the waist down for the entire last lap but I just kept digging deep because I knew every second counted and I had a job to do! I managed to hold on to the leader bib and with a classic sprint and the hill climb coming up, I’m really excited for both these stages and focused on getting all the little details of recovery right! I was proud of the grit I had out there today, but way more proud of the amazing Salomon skis our techs made me! Wow, that was key in today’s race.  … Also, so hyped up for Gus! Race of the day for sure.”

    Jessie Diggins gives it everything she has down the homestretch of the sixth stage in the Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme, Italy. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    Katharine Ogden notched her third top 20 finish of the tour (she placed 18th in the 10 k skate and 20th in the 10 k classic in Toblach) and finished in 19th (+1:12.3). Hailey Swirbul earned a few more points, finishing in 25th (+1:29.1) and Caitlin Patterson snuck into the top thirty with a 29th place (+1:51.8).

    Following a tangle early on in the race, Brennan struggled to maintain her position going into the day, ultimately finishing in 31st place (+2:00.5). Julia Kern rounded out the U.S. women finishers in 42nd place (+4:08.3).

    “Today was undeniably a tough day,” Brennan wrote post-race. “I was ready for a tough battle and had the confidence to do well today. However, I got tripped up on the second climb and got skied over by a lot of people before I could get up. Because it was so early, we were all still in a big pack and I worked really hard to try to pass people and get back to the front. I think I wasted a lot of energy doing that when my body didn’t have much extra left in the tank. I truly fought with all I had and I am very disappointed that I couldn’t do more out there. Tour racing always brings big up and big downs so I will do my best to pick up the pieces and continue to fight hard the next two days.”

     

    Overall Standings: 

    Today’s Stage 6 results caused some ripples in the overall standings in the Tour. To recap, prior to Stage 6, Diggins had a 22 second lead over Brennan in second, a fifty-eight second buffer over Stupak in third, with Karlsson in fourth (+1:29). 

    After today’s day’s grind in Val di Fiemme, Diggins sits in first overall with a fifty-five second margin over Stupak in second. Karlsson moves up a position to third (+1:42). Brennan, who struggled on the stage, fell back to seventh overall (+2:11). 

    Racing continues tomorrow for the women with a classic sprint. 

    Women’s Stage 6| Women’s Overall

  • Sweden’s Svahn and Two Finnish Athletes Cleared to Race Friday (Updated)

    Sweden’s Svahn and Two Finnish Athletes Cleared to Race Friday (Updated)

     

    Update: Expressen Sport, a Swedish daily, has reported Linn Svahn and two unnamed Finnish cross-country skiers are cleared to race in Friday’s mass start events after more sensitive Covid-19 PCR tests returned negative.

    Original Post: Earlier today, Swedish team doctor Per Andersson announced that Linn Svahn, who won the first two stages of the 2021 Tour de Ski in Val Müstair, has tested positive for COVID-19 on an antigen test. (The antigen test is less sensitive than PCR testing.) Svahn did compete in both distance races in Toblach, though she finished well off the podium, 40th in the 10-kilometer skate and 23rd in the classic.

    A champion in sprint and distance, Sweden’s Linn Svahn wins back-to-back stages of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    According to the Swedish new outlet SVT, two additional Finnish athletes were also notified after testing positive with an antigen test.

    In the SVT interview, FIS Event Director and organizer of the Tour de Ski Pierre Mignerey was questioned about how these potential positive cases will be handled in terms of the impact to the remainder of the Swiss and Finnish teams and their eligibility to continue with the tour. Mignerey explained that this decision is outside of FIS jurisdiction and is left to the local and national governance.

    “It is an answer for the authorities [whether the teams can continue the Tour],” Mignerey said according to translation. “I can not answer and I have no answer. There are many factors that need to be taken into account. We must leave that decision to those who have the competence, that means the doctors and the people in the authorities.”

     

  • Bolshunov’s Streak Remains Strong, Schumacher 15th in Stage 5

    Bolshunov’s Streak Remains Strong, Schumacher 15th in Stage 5

    Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) celebrating his fourth victory out of five races in this years’ Tour de Ski. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    With Russia landing seven of the top eight positions yesterday, today’s 15 k classic pursuit started with a wave of red. Or as Maurice Manificat of France described it in a pre-race interview, “the Russian armada versus the French mafia.” Manificat (FRA) started in sixth and his teammate, Hugo Lapalus of France began in ninth, otherwise, the first thirty seconds of starters were all Russian. Under a ceiling of clouds, the racers wound up and down the snowy, forested hillsides, completing four laps of the 3.3 k course.

    Bolshunov kicked things off with an eight-second head start over teammate Denis Spitsov of Russia (today’s pursuit start was based on yesterday’s finishes and not overall tour times), and a +1:15 lead in the overall tour standings. He began the day with three wins out of the four races already completed in this year’s edition of the Tour de Ski, and when the race had concluded he had increased that number to four wins. 

    Untouchable and in a class of his own, Bolshunov crossed the finish line in a time of 34:32.9. Only the occasional gasps for air as he passed the camera gave any indication that this was at all challenging for him. With seeming ease he stretched a lead of +8 seconds to +34.5 seconds by 3.3 k, and strode ahead of the first chase pack which coalesced early and was composed of six Russians and Manificat. At 6.6 k Bolshunov’s lead had widened to +45 seconds, and at 10 k the gap was up to +1:03.2.

    On a solo flyer: Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov, Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    In his post-race interview, Bolshunov explained through a translator, “I had two options, either you wait for the others and go like a mass start or you go as an individual start and since I had a good split to start I decided to go with the individual and it turned out very well.”

    He also took the title of the fastest time of the day, +27.6 seconds ahead of teammate Evgeniy Belov.  If there were lingering questions as to who the men’s winner of the 2021 Tour de Ski would be, today’s results should have cleared them up. Bolshunov now leads the overall by +2:06 ahead of Artem Maltsev of Russia. 

    Another Russian podium sweep,Ivan Yakimushkin, Alexander Bolshunov, Evgeniy Belov, (l-r). (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    The chasing pack, comprised of Ivan Yakimushkin, Belov, Alexey Chervotkin, Andrey Melnichenko, Denis Spitsov, Maltsev (all of Russia) and Manificat, stayed together for most of the race. A stumble, fall, and broken pole near the top of a climb on the final lap took Maltsev out of the running (his second broken pole of the day). Spitsov also dropped, leaving the four remaining Russians and Manificat to battle for second and third position.

    Manificat lost steam through the stadium, as did Melnichenko (RUS), making way for a three-way duel for the last two podium spots. Yakimushkin (RUS) bested his compatriots and took silver, +55.5 seconds behind Bolshunov and 0.01 seconds ahead of Belov (RUS) who took bronze.

    A Russian battle for the remaining podium spots, Alexey Chervotkin (RUS), Ivan Yakimushkin (RUS) and Evgeniy Belov (RUS) (l-r foreground). (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    Chervotkin (RUS) finished fourth. Manificat stayed true to his starting number and finished with another sixth place, putting him third in the overall tour rankings, just three seconds behind Maltsev and six seconds ahead of Spitsov. 

    Manificat- the lone Frenchman amidst the Russians. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Spent. Maurice Manificat after finishing in 6th place in Stage 5. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    Following a stand-out performance yesterday, Gus Schumacher of the United States headed out of the start gates +51 seconds behind Bolshunov, wearing bib number 14. As the race got underway he joined the second chasing group which largely stayed constant throughout the duration of the course, absorbing Lapalus around 5 k and then breaking apart on the final lap. Schumacher finished the day with another strong performance in 15th place, +2:13.5 back from Bolshunov, and with the 19th fastest time of the day. This places him in 23rd in the overall tour standings, +6:18 behind Bolshunov. 

    Gus Schumacher, bib 14, on his way to 15th on the stage. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Lucas Boegl (GER), and Gus Schumacher (USA), (l-r) during Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    As for the other two remaining American men, Scott Patterson who started the day bib 32 ceded a few places to finish 36th, and Kevin Bolger finished 46th, putting them in 36th and 52nd respectively in the overall tour rankings.

    Scott Patterson (USA) finished 36th. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

     

    Stage 5 Results | Overall

  • Stupak and Andersson Overtake the Americans to Keep the TdS Tight; Diggins 3rd, Brennan 4th

    Stupak and Andersson Overtake the Americans to Keep the TdS Tight; Diggins 3rd, Brennan 4th

    Eyes on the clock, the leaders prepare for a 10-kilometer pursuit start classic race in Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    We have entered the back half of the 2021 Tour de Ski. With five of eight races complete, roughly 45 kilometers raced and a little under 25 remaining, fatigue has set in. While it might be easy to think the storylines are set, in such a grueling feat of endurance, nothing is certain. Crashes happen, wax is blown, recovery compromised. 

    Whereas Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan had the advantage of chasing splits in yesterday’s individual start freestyle, in today’s pursuit start classic the hunters became the hunted. The women took to the course in Toblach, Italy in order based on their results in Stage 4, with their chasers starting behind with the deficit they attained only from the previous day’s race. This put Diggins first out of the gate with Brennan 15 seconds back, Sweden’s Ebba Andersson +22, Russia’s Yulia Stupak +26 and Finland’s Krista Pärmäkoski rounding out the top five starters +31 back. (Start list)

    Striding away from the stadium with a target on her back, Jessie Diggins is the first athlete on course during Stage 5 of the 2021 Tour de Ski, a pursuit start 10-kilometer classic. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Her yellow bib like a target on her back, Diggins set out solo with her usual high tempo. Behind her, Brennan was chased by the charging duo of Stupak and Andersson, who caught her by roughly 3k. Brennan hopped onto their tails as the group worked their way toward Diggins. 

    As head coach Matt Whitcomb predicted in his interview after Stage 4, conditions near freezing made for icy and glazed tracks which led through a variety of sun exposures, meaning athletes could kick up some hills in the tracks, but had to hop out and run to make it up others. In summation: it makes things a little funky out there. 

    Perhaps this was what caused Diggins to fall just before the 4 k mark. The crash was relatively minor and she was able to quickly bounce back upright, however, it gave the chasing threesome the opportunity to catch and pass the leader. 

    Stupak and Andersson seemed to try to capitalize on the opportunity, surging as they skied smooth and strong up the subsequent climb with Brennan and Diggins hanging on in their wake. 

    Russia’s Yulia Stupak charges ahead for the win in Stage 5 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Try as they might, the two could not quite lose the Americans, who matched every push to prevent gaps from forming. Living up to her reputation, Diggins worked the downhills in the final kilometers making up for any small amounts of space between her skis and those in front of her that were created on the climbs. 

    In the final rolling climbs before descending into the stadium, Diggins found a new gear, overtaking Andersson and challenging Stupak for the lead. Coming into the lanes, Stupak’s double pole could not be matched, allowing her to pull ahead by a ski length while Diggins and Andersson fought side-by-side to the line for a photo finish. It was determined that Andersson edged out the American by centimeters, Sweden in second (+0.7) and USA in third (+0.8).

    The leading trio: Julia Stupak, Ebba Andersson, and Jessie Diggins enter the finish-straight. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Down to the final meters, the top three women — Yulia Stupak (RUS), Ebba Andersson (SWE), and Jessie Diggins — fight for position in Stage 5 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Yulia Stupak of Russia with the win, as Ebba Andersson (SWE) and Jessie Diggins (USA) lunge for the line. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “So proud of our techs for the skis they made us in tricky warm conditions today!” wrote Diggins in an email after the race. “Wow, that was a tough fight out there. I was really proud of myself for hanging tough and just gritting it out until the end! It was a good test of mental toughness for me after a little fall and getting caught to be able to refocus, stay calm and ski as smart and smooth as I could! It was really important for me to stay with those girls today in terms of overall tour time, and I was just able to hang in there. Super pumped for our team and for another good classic race!”

    Fighting hard through another strong 10-kilometer classic performance, Jessie Diggins takes third in Stage 5 of the 2021 Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    After a string of podiums in the Tour de Ski, Jessie Diggins is rich with cheese, flowers, and a variety of regionally-significant memorabilia. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    After falling back from the leaders in the final k, Brennan held on for fourth place (+17.3). 

    “Today was a very tough fight,” wrote Brennan in an email to news outlets. “My goal was to lose as little time as possible and then see what I had in me. I went out hard hoping I could find Jessie to ski with but got caught before I found Jessie. It’s the kind of course that is much easier to draft so once we got caught, it was nice to settle in a bit, however, the pace was still high. I fought as best I could but couldn’t keep contact over the top of the big hill. I fought as hard as I could to regain contact but it’s just so much faster in a pack. I fought with all I had today and am proud of that and happy to maintain second in the overall tour.”

    Fighting the clock for a solo finish, Rosie Brennan takes 4th in Stage 5 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Working together throughout the day, Finland’s Pärmäkoski and Russia’s Tatiana Sorina skied to a strong fifth (+37.3) and sixth (+38.3), respectively. 

    The women’s podium of the 10-kilometer pursuit start classic of Stage 5 of the 2021 Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. Russia’s Yulia Stupak took the win ahead of Sweden’s Ebba Anderson in second and Jessie Diggins in third. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Though margins for the overall TdS standings were narrowed as her win streak came to an end, Diggins remains in possession of the yellow bib with a cumulative time of 1:54.15. Brennan holds strong in second place (+22), with Stupak in third (+58), overtaking Sweden’s Frida Karlsson who was a favorite for the win.

    Frida Karlsson drops to 13th after the Stage 5 of the 2021 TdS, a 10-kilometer pursuit start classic in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Frida Karlsson, struggling with a tailbone injury sustained from a dislodged pull-up bar, finishes 13th in Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski, sliding back to 4th in the overall standings. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    It is unclear whether Karlsson will be able to lodge a counterattack on her seemingly increasing deficit. FasterSkier learned that in an unfortunate accident involving a pull-up bar that let loose from the door frame it was affixed to, the 21-year-old sustained an injury to her tailbone and leg. According to an interview with Swedish news outlet Expressen, Karlsson was not sure whether she would race in Stage 4, let alone finish the tour. This may explain her fall from podium contender to 9th place in the 10 k skate and 13th (+1:20.1) in today’s classic pursuit. Karlsson holds onto fourth place in the overall (+1:29), with Stupak in 5th (+1:53). (This incident is also discussed in The Devon Kershaw Podcast from Stage 4.)

    Consistently demonstrating her talent and fitness, Katharine Odgen finishes 20th in Stage 5 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Steadying herself on her poles, Hailey Swirbul finishes Stage 5 of the 2021 in 22nd with a string of consistent distance results. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Further into the pack, Katharine Ogden and Hailey Swirbul skied to 20th (+2:05.8) and 22nd (+2:07.5). The two started amidst a relatively dense group of ten women in the range of 1:10 to 1:36 behind Diggins. This larger chase group stayed together through much of the course with a few exceptions breaking off the front and back. Both Americans maintained their position in the body of the group, with only a handful of seconds separating a subset of six at the finish. As they were 18th and 20th in Stage 4, Ogden and Swirbul demonstrated remarkable consistency in their solid performances. 

    Wrapping things up for Team USA, Caitlin Patterson skied to 39th (+3:57.3) while Julia Kern took 41st (+4:04.3). 

    Modeling the cumulative fatigue of the Tour de Ski, Caitlin Patterson finishes 39th in Stage 5. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Stage 5: Start List | Final Results

    Overall TdS Standings After Stage 5

  • American Women Light Up Toblach With Another Diggins-Brennan 1-2 Performance

    American Women Light Up Toblach With Another Diggins-Brennan 1-2 Performance

    Jaw drop. An aerial view of the Toblach Arena, which plays host to Stages 5 and 6 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    Onward with the 2021 Tour de Ski! From the western edge of Switzerland, we’ve landed in the tiny and spectacular Italian village of Toblach. Nestled at just over 4,000 ft of elevation in the Dolomites, bluebird skies illuminated pines wrapped in snow, jagged rocky peaks, and hard pack frosty trails. It’s the kind of backdrop that might make viewers lose focus on the athletes as they stare longingly at the fairytale-esque scene. Just me?

    Entering the heart of the Tour, the storyline of individual stages and overall standings are inseparable. As athletes took to the course for today’s individual start 10-kilometer skate, the overall tour contenders focused on optimizing their time margins. Current TdS leader Jessie Diggins aimed to maintain or add to her 5 second lead over teammate Rosie Brennan, and both wanted to keep the Swedish distance star, Frida Karlsson at bay in third (+0:10). 

    Continuing her streak, Brennan dominates the course in Toblach, Italy during Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    In individual start races, start position can provide two important advantages: firstly, starting behind a comparable athlete might offer the chance to close the gap and either catch a ride or work together to push through the challenging course, and secondly, coaches can feed athletes the splits of skiers who started before them, providing a ghost to chase from checkpoint to checkpoint. 

    A string of Americans starting in the last four positions were seemingly primed for these two benefits. In order wearing bibs 49 through 52 were Katharine Ogden, Julia Kern, Brennan, and Diggins.

    Katharine Ogden on her way to 18th in Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Conversely, Karlsson started in bib 24, 13 minutes ahead of Brennan. This put the Swede roughly halfway through her race with all the splits that entails as the American leaders left the start. 

    Karlsson hit it hard. When she passed the 2.1 k checkpoint at which bonus points were available, she set the bar high, stamping a time that stood unmatched at the top. That is until Diggins knocked it down and took the maximum of 15 bonus points. Let that be the first indicator of how Diggins’ day at the office would go.  

    Unfortunately for Karlsson, it also marked the beginning of a fade.

    After a strong start, Sweden’s Frida Karlsson fades to 9th in Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    As this took place, yet another young Swede should catch your eye as she steadily advanced up the live timing ranks: 23-year-old Ebba Andersson. Taking charge in the second half and leading from 6.7 k onward, Andersson set the time to beat at each checkpoint, finishing in a time that was not bested until the final moments of the stage.

    Ebba Anderson climbs the leaderboard during Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    And, a familiar veteran with TdS overall podium history, Krista Pärmäkoski, rose to the Stage 4 occasion. Her results have steadily improved during the tour after a disappointing start to the season since the opening weekend Ruka, Finland where she did not make the top-30 in the sprint or distance events. Along with Russian’s Yulia Stupak, who entered Stage 4 in 5th place in the standings (+0:59), and Tatiana Sorina, the top of the leaderboard jockeyed for position as they worked through the woods.  

    With results steadily on the upswing, Krista Pärmäkoski skis to fifth in Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    With no spectators, it becomes perhaps even more clear just how hard these athletes are working. It’s like having a seat trailside: head coach Matt Whitcomb’s shouts of encouragement unimpeded by his mask, while the high pitched swish of poles striking whipped through the crisp air. With labored breathing for durations mere mortals could not sustain, Diggins and Brennan powered up the final climb, working their way toward the stadium with complete command over the field. 

    Powerful tempo on display and a look of determination, Brennan powered down the final stretch to knock nearly eight seconds off Andersson’s time. A few seconds later, braids whipping in time with her V2, Diggins lit up the stadium as she ran away with her second consecutive victory, stopping the clock at 25:14.5. 

    With a final lunge, Jessie Diggins wins Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski by nearly 15 seconds. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    At the top of the ranks for the second consecutive 10 k skate, Jessie Diggins takes the Stage 4 win in Toblach. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Piggybacking on their Stage 3 performance, it was another 1-2 performance for Diggins and Brennan (+14.8). The first occasion was history, now — dare we say it — maybe a pattern for this Tour.

    This result keeps Diggins at the top of the overall standings with an improved margin of 20 seconds over second place. Standing alongside her teammate on the podium in second place in both the Stage results and overall Tour, Brennan also cushioned her margin for the TdS podium. 

    Consecutive 1-2 performances for Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan in Stages 3 and 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    “Getting a win here in Toblach is so special to me,” wrote Diggins. “This is where my first podium came during the Tour de Ski, and where I first felt that confidence in an individual race that I feel on relay days! It was also special for me to have this be my 30th podium because it feels like a full-circle moment. Just like a super cheesy Netflix show!

    “Most importantly, I smiled and had fun and kept the pressure off, just saying “this is my favorite course and I’m going to go out there and see how fast I can ski it!” I loved getting to ski with Julia and having the four of us girls starting right in a row made the start pen such a psyched-up vibe!

    “So proud of Rosie and how she’s been crushing it all year, and loving every podium we get to share together! Also, so pumped for Gus for his breakthrough race today! It’s so cool to see this team on fire.”
    Rosie Brennan powers through the final meters for a commanding second place finish in Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “Today was the only individual start race of the tour and is my preferred format so I had a lot of expectations and hopes for myself today,” wrote Brennan in an email. “The course here is challenging with lots of climbing in the beginning and then lots of downhills that require a lot of work and aren’t terribly restful coming back into the stadium. Knowing that, I wanted to make sure I didn’t waste time getting down to business but also wanted to be sure I had enough in me to push all the way to the finish. I felt I did this well and skied a very consistent race, but it was not enough to not lose time to Jessie, especially on the working downhills which I consider her to be best in the world at. That said, I left it all out there and am happy with the way I skied. If I’m going to lose a race, losing it to a teammate is not a bad way to go! More importantly, I gained some time in the overall standings on everyone except Jessie so for the long game, it was a good day. I feel that I am holding up well at the halfway mark of the Tour and really hope I can continue to fight hard in the second half. We made it another day with America 1-2 and that in itself is something to celebrate!”

    Andersson’s time held up for third place (+22.2) in Stage 4 with Russia’s Stupak fourth (+25.7), Pärmäkoski fifth (+31.3). Karlsson fell back to ninth (+52.4). 

    The women’s podium at Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. Jessie Diggins clocked the fastest time with Rosie Brennan in second and Sweden’s Ebba Andersson in third. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    In the overall standings, Karlsson remains in third place just over a minute behind Diggins, and 42 seconds behind Brennan. Russians Stupak and Sorina sit in fourth (+1:25) and fifth (+1:51), respectively. By earning top points in today’s bonus sprint, Diggins moves to the top of the TdS point standings with 45 points. Karlsson is two points behind in second, with her teammate Linn Svahn trailing Diggins by seven points in third. 

    Hailey Swirbul racing her way to 20th place in Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    While Diggins and Brennan were certainly the highlight of the day, three additional American women clocked strong performances that kept them well inside the top-30. Ogden skied to 18th place (+1:16.9), with Hailey Swirbul close behind in 20th (+1:24.8), and Kern in 25th (+1:35.7). Caitlin Patterson, who was the first athlete on course in bib 1, skied to 39th (+2:12.1). 

    The first athlete on course in the Stage 4 10-kilometer individual start freestyle, Caitlin Patterson skis to 39th. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Before we conclude, an important update from FIS addressing Slovenia’s Anamarija Lampic’s disqualification in Stage 1. Lampic had brushed skis with Switzerland’s Nadine Fähndrich on the technical downhill less than 500 meters from the finish line during the final, where the two looked to be fighting for the second and third podium positions. It was concluded on the day that Lampic had illegally interfered and impeded Fähndrich, however, that decision has since been overturned in an appeal from the Slovenian Ski Association. 

    From FIS: “The appeal by the Slovenian Ski Association against the FIS Jury decision of the Sprint F case concerning Anamarija Lampic from 1st January 2021 was partly approved. The Appeals Commission asks to change the sanction to a written reprimand (yellow card). As a consequence, Friday’s Sprint results will be updated and Anamarija Lampic will be ranked as 2nd and Jessie Diggins ranked as 3rd and Frida Karlsson ranked as 4th. Additionally, the decision impacts the Tour Overall standing, the Tour point standing and therefore also the start list of today’s Pursuit competition.”

    Anamarija Lampic on course during Stage 4 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. Lampic finished 19th on the day. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This update is reflected in the overall results posted below. Though this moves both Brennan and Diggins down a spot in the Stage 1 results, it does not affect their current standings at the top.

    Stage 4 Start List | Final Results  

    Overall TdS Standings: Cumulative Time | Points

    Post-race comments from U.S. Head Coach Matt Whitcomb. 

  • Diggins and Brennan Go 1-2 in Stage 3 of the Tour de Ski (Updated)

    Diggins and Brennan Go 1-2 in Stage 3 of the Tour de Ski (Updated)

     

    Diggins (USA) lunges for the line after laying it all out to pull away from chasers Brennan (USA) and Karlsson (SWE). Photo: Nordic Focus

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    Sunday, Val Müstair, Switzerland hosted the last of three stages of the Tour de Ski in the picturesque alpen valley. With no fans present, and only traditional cowbells gonging as the audio backdrop, it was clear Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan, through their audible lung-gasps, were flexing for the stage win.

    Before the drama of the day’s fine racing, first, some context. Last season, there was a new Swedish woman who barnstormed the World Cup. Already Frida Karlsson (21), a distance phenom, and Ebba Andersson (23) had taken bows on the big-stage – both part of a memorable World Championship 4 x 5 k gold medal team in 2019. Then Linn Svahn (21) came smashing through. She won last season’s World Cup sprint globe and returned primed to the Tour de Ski after a month away from the World Cup. (The Swedish National Team withdrew from World Cup competition in early December due to Covid-19 precautions.)

    In two races at this 15th edition of the Tour, Svahn won the stage 1 skate sprint and secured her first career World Cup distance podium when she won Saturday’s mass start classic. A race many had picked Karlsson to run away with. Let’s simply say, Sweden sits in a sweet spot in terms of long-term skier development on its women’s team.

    Today, Svahn led out first  during the 10 k skate pursuit with a 19 second time cushion over second starter Jessie Diggins. Karlsson began another second behind Diggins, with Brennan the fourth starter (+0:22) . 

    Jessie Diggins, unleashed from the start and ready for an outrageous 10 k skate. (Photo: NordicFocus)

     

    Frida Karlsson (SWE) digging deep for the finish line, coming in third behind Brennan and Diggins (USA). (Photo: NordicFocus)

    It took a single lap of the 2.5 k loop during for Karlsson, Diggins, and Brennan to reel in Svahn. The catch came at 7:40, roughly 2.8 k’s into the race. Up to that point, Karlsson had set the pace allowing the two Americans to sit in her wake. 

    When the foursome coalesced, Svahn took her place at the back with Karlsson still upfront. Around they went beginning the third lap, Svahn still velcroed on. Yet her adhesion to the group eventually ripped and the sprint star began to bleed time. At 6.2 k she had lost 24.7 seconds to Karlsson in the lead. 

    Sweden’s Frida Karlsson leading Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Here was the podium hustling along and jostling for the final 1-2-3 spots — Karlsson, Brennan, and Diggins. The order of the trio would vary here and there. What became clear around 9 k, was Diggins’ insistence on working every centimeter of the racecourse. Every opportunity to free skate was taken, as was a tuck to streamline as she eventually blasted into the lead. At 24:00 minutes, Diggins was decisive – and frankly impressive. Meter by meter Diggins gained ground on Brennan and Karlsson as she unrelentingly charged into the finish.

    Jessie Diggins (USA) closing in on the finish line, followed by Rosie Brennan (USA) and Frida Karlsson (SWE). Photo: Nordic Focus
    Gave it her all, Jessie Diggins (USA) after taking the win ahead of teammate Rosie Brennan (USA) and Frida Karlsson (SWE). (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Spent: Jessie Diggins stage 3 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    26:54.1 was her official winning time in what was also Diggins’ first win of the season. Brennan who was as equally coy and powerful, placed second, 5.6 seconds back. Karlsson, perhaps the favored skier coming into the 2021 Tour de Ski, was third (+10.7). Svahn faded to sixth (+1:12.9). 

    “What a cool day!,” Diggins explained via email. “I was so excited to ski with Rosie and see what we could do out there, and we had great skis to help us on our way! I started out trying to help pull the group, but then nearly imploded in the altitude and spent the next few laps getting my legs back after feeling extremely wobbly! But on our last lap, I realized that once we got over most of the climbing I could still push without fear of totally blowing up, and knew I needed to send it on the downhill as hard as I could. It was such a cool feeling, sprinting it in for a win and getting to wear the yellow jersey. It’s important for me not to put pressure on myself and take the tour one day at a time, but it’s also important to not take these special moments for granted, and to enjoy a few moments knowing how hard so many people have worked to help me get here!”

    Focusing: Rosie Brennan in for second overall in the Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “Today was a day that required some sharp focus but the reward was well worth it,” Brennan emailed. “The fatigue of the tour starts to settle in about this time, but the time of day is what counts towards your overall tour place so it was not a day to only fight for place. I was fortunate to start in a strong group with Jessie and Frida. We are all work horses so I knew it was going to be game on from the start. Frida really took reigns and charged hard the whole race. Being more of a climber I tried to make a move at the top of the climb on the last lap. It worked to get a gap to Frida but also made a perfect launch for Jessie to utilize her fantastic downhill skills. I did my best to follow her counter move but didn’t quite have what I needed. It’s a pretty cool feeling to finish and realize that two Americans are 1-2 in the Tour right now! I am very proud of my effort today because it wasn’t a dream day of feelings in my body.”

    Rosie Brennan (USA) celebrates as she crosses the line, taking silver in today’s 10 k pursuit. (Photo: Nordic Focus)

    Sunday marked the seventh career individual World Cup win for Diggins which includes a best time of day in a 2018 10 k skate pursuit. Despite a stout classic race on Saturday in the 10 k classic, skating is Diggins’ bread and butter: All of her wins are in skate technique. 

    With today’s victory Diggins dons the Tour’s yellow bib as the overall leader with a scant five-second lead over Brennan in second overall. Karlsson, still a crazy strong threat for the overall, is third (+0:10). 

    In 2018/2019, Diggins placed sixth overall in the TdS. Last season she was ninth overall. Brennan placed 15th overall in the 2019/2020 Tour but has entered this season with profound fitness and drive. 

    Womens’ TdS Stage 3 podium:
    Rosie Brennan (USA), Jessie Diggins (USA), Frida Karlsson (SWE), (l-r). (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Hailey Swirbul who began in bib 17, moved up four spots to 13th in the stage (+2:03). Katharine Ogden, the 28th starter finished 25th (+3:43.6). Caitlin Patterson moved from 40th to 35th (+4:35.1), with Julia Kern, in bib 41, 40th (+5:00.7). Sophie Caldwell Hamilton placed 48th (+6:10.7). 

    Hailey Swirbul continues her strong skiing during stage 3 of the TdS. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Katharine Ogden placed 25th in stage 3. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Diggins raced the fastest time of day, 26:35.1 minutes, with Brennan 2.6 seconds slower with this second fastest time. Swirbul skied the seventh fastest time (+39.6), and Ogden the 28th fastest (+1:13.6). Time of day is used for FIS points allocation.

    Stage 3 Results | Time of Day | Overall Standings

    This story will be updated. 

  • Bolshunov Widens his Lead in the Tour de Ski, Manificat Lands Another 15 k Skate Podium in Third (Updated)

    Bolshunov Widens his Lead in the Tour de Ski, Manificat Lands Another 15 k Skate Podium in Third (Updated)

    Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) lunges for the line with no challengers in sight. Photo: Nordic Focus

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    Accompanied by the constant soundtrack of distant cowbells, Alexander Bolshunov of Russia steadily worked his way through the fog, four times around the 3.3 k course to maintain a lead that was never threatened, completing the race in a time of 32:11. He started today’s skate pursuit with a margin of one minute ahead of teammate Artem Maltsev (RUS). When the race concluded Bolshunov had ceded only 6.3 seconds, despite skiing alone the entire way. In the winner’s post-race interview with FIS, when asked whether the race felt as easy as it looked, Bolshunov replied (through a translator), “[I] wouldn’t say it was easy, the last laps [I] had to work really hard. But still [I’m] really happy to take the win with good distance.”

    This is the third podium for Bolshunov in this Tour de Ski alone. In ten World Cup races this season, he missed a podium only twice, when he placed fourth in Ruka’s classic sprint and fourth again in Dresden’s skate sprint. With the Norwegians remaining off the World Cup, for now, he remains peerless.

     

    Payday for Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) after his second victory in two days. Photo: Nordic Focus

    Initially, the followers’ chase was mounted by Russia’s Maltsev and Dario Cologna of Switzerland for the first 7.4 k. Cologna was the third starter today, but he quickly ate up the 11 seconds margin to Maltsev. As the race evolved, Maltsev began to pull away, eventually crossing the finish line in second place, +53.7 seconds behind Bolshunov. According to the FIS database, Sunday’s second place was Maltsev’s second career World Cup podium. He also won a bronze in the 2018 Olympic team sprint. 

    Artem Maltsev (RUS) crosses the line for his second podium of the season, he finished 3rd in the 15 k skate in Davos. Photo: Nordic Focus

    Cologna (SUI), who is the first man to have won three 15 k Olympic gold medals in a row and should consider this distance a specialty, was caught by Maurice Manificat of France, Ivan Yakimushkin of Russia and Denis Spitsov of Russia at 8.9 k. Gradually Manificat (FRA) worked his magic, 15 k skate events being something of a favorite for him, and he finished third +1:10.07 behind Bolshunov. With an elapsed race time of 31:42.1, Manificat also had the second fastest time of the day.

    Maurice Manificat (FRA) with his signature celebration over the finish line. Photo: Nordic Focus

    Spitsov (RUS) followed closely behind in fourth, earning the fastest time of the day with his performance (31:41.8). +23.5 seconds back from Spitsov, Yakimushkin (RUS) outsprinted Cologna (SUI) and they fell into 5th and 6th position. Friday’s sprint winner, Federico Pellegrino of Italy, held his own despite not having a reputation as a distance skier, to finish in 8th. 

    Federico Pellegrino (ITA) on his way to an 8th place finish, ahead of the French trifecta battling behind him. Photo: Nordic Focus

    Gus Schumacher was the first American out of the gates. In bib 35 he started +2:55 behind Bolshunov. When he crossed the line, 36:15 minutes later, he had gained three places to lead the American men and finish in 32nd, with the 28th fastest time of the day, earning him his third World Cup points of the season. “My strategy today was based mostly around consistent pacing,” wrote Schumacher in an email, “I wanted to avoid a big loss of energy, so I tried to make smart decisions regarding whether or not to respond to attacks. Moving forward, I’m mostly focused on recovery and taking each day as a new day, a new race to continue improving. I know that I have 5 more races to try to work up the field.”

    Gus Schumacher (USA) pushes the finishing stretch. Photo: Nordic Focus

    Scott Patterson, who started in the first wave (+3:22) with bib 46, also gained several places and finished 38th. Patterson skied his way to the 24th fastest time of the day in a time of 33:09.9. Simi Hamilton finished 47th and Kevin Bolger rounded out the U.S. men in 55th. 

    Simeon Hamilton (USA) and Kevin Bolger (USA), (l-r) cross the line. Photo: Nordic Focus

    Overall Tour Standings: 

    With his victory today, Bolshunov’s overall lead in the Tour is +0:53 seconds ahead of Maltsev in second. Manificat moved into third position (+1:07) followed by Spitsov (+1:10) and Cologna (+1:34) in fourth and fifth respectively. The Tour now moves to Toblach, Italy where racing continues on Tuesday (January 5th) with a 15 k interval start skate race. 

    A happy group of Frenchmen celebrate Manificat. Photo: Nordic Focus

    Results: 

    Stage 3 Results | Men’s TdS Overall Standings

  • Bolshunov Skis Big and Bold, Dario Cologna Sneaks in for a Podium

    Bolshunov Skis Big and Bold, Dario Cologna Sneaks in for a Podium

     

    The start of the men’s 15 k mass start classic in Val Müstair, Switzerland. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

     

    Val Müstair, Switzerland and its snowfall were again the idyllic backdrops for the Tour de Ski (TdS) where the men raced a 15-kilometer classic mass start to kick off the distance stages. After yesterday’s skate sprint in which Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov took second place, it appeared the twenty-four-year-old would iron-fist this fifteenth edition of the TdS.

    No doubt, Bolshunov came into the event as the favorite. The conversation trending towards how much time he wins the overall. As last year’s winner of the TdS, and finishing on five podiums in seven stages, this Russia has been here before.

    Immediately as the 77 starters crowding the start tracks set off, Bolshunov was the skier to watch. No matter who strode alongside him for the first 5 k or so, this was simply a game of when Bolshunov would shatter the pack and make an exclamation point statement that his trend towards generational status skier was for real.

    The TdS includes a points race, which incentivizes some skiers not contending for the overall to remain upfront to snag the prime, and perhaps collect a few more Swiss Francs at the end of the workday. With the points bonus offered at 4.5 k, Italy’s Federico Pellegrino, winner of Friday’s sprint, was right there in the front.

    Italy’s Federico Pellegrino in yellow. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    With four laps of a 3.3 k course which featured a long climb and sinuous downhills with techy turns, this was primarily a fitness test in the end. And the Russian team collectively appears the fittest. Along with Bolshunov, his teammates including Alexey Chervotkin, Evgeny Belov, Ivan Yakimushkin, Denis Spitsov, and Illia Semikov were a wall of red Lycra upfront.

    No matter how you parse the stats or the visuals presented of the race, it certainly looked like a Russian podium sweep with the only lock Bolshunov on the top-step. At 11.4 k, Bolshunov powered ahead by 5.1 seconds ahead of hometown hero Dario Cologna with Belov, Maurice Manificat of France, Yakimushkin, Sptisov, Semikov, and Sweden’s Oskar Svensson towed through in that order. Svensson was 14.7 seconds off the pace.

    The solo Bolshunov show flew ahead. Eight-tenths of a kilometer later, he secured a 19.7-second cushion. With little action out front beyond anticipating how much time Bolshunov might gain, we’ll send it straight to the finish: Bolshunov won by 23.5 seconds.

    Alexander Bolshunov in front during stage 2 of the 2021 TdS. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    As noted, it appeared late in the race to be a probable all-Russian podium. Yet the cosmos can play tricks. The podium, in a parallel universe, maybe had a decidedly red look.

    Coming into the final downhill, made more complex by a sweeping right-hand corner which had already taken out several skiers in yesterday’s sprint and today’s mass start, Belov dove into the bend first, a hair ahead of Chervotkin. As skiers warped around, Chervotkin tried to cut inside of Belov and clipped his skis. Belov tumbled as did Chervotkin right after. As the two skiers exchanged words and began righting themselves, Yakimushkin went wide left off course and out of the turn to avoid crashing. Twenty meters later, he skied back on course.

    In the meantime, Cologna, remained on his feet, skirted around the tumbled Russians, and made good for his hometown and the army of Cologna supporters who no doubt were clanging oversize cowbells at home as the event did not allow spectators. As the Swiss gift that keeps on giving, Cologna placed second (+23.5) and Yakimushkin third (+25.3). France’s Manificat bypassed the carnage as he was many meters behind the crash, and placed fourth (+27.7).

    Cologna has won the TdS on four occasions – a record for men’s overall titles. His second place on the stage was his best result of the season. Before Saturday, his best 2020-2021 distance result was 14th place in the Davos 15 k skate. His last podium was in the 2019 15 k skate also in Davos.

    Evgeniy Belov (RUS), and Dario Cologna (SUI), (l-r). (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Dario Cologna (SUI)  taking second in stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Russia locked up five of the top-10 spots, with Belov, who had crashed, missing out on a podium and placing eighth.

    Notably missing from the results was Chervotkin. He was disqualified after the race for violating rule ICR 343.9 which states, “Obstruction: deliberately impeding, blocking (by not following best line), charging or pushing any competitor with any part of the body or ski equipment.”

    Post-race comments about the men’s race from U.S. Head Coach Matt Whitcomb.

    For the U.S., Gus Schumacher was the top finisher in 36th (+1:53.8). New to full-time World Cup skiing, Schumacher has been on the road since mid-November as he begins to learn more about certain World Cup venues, the vagaries of life on the road, and the speed at which skiers like Bolshunov hammer about.

    Today, the twenty-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska was 23rd (+8.2) at the 4.5 k mark skiing in a thick soup of skiers: 30th place was 10.8 seconds back. As the race broke apart due to the surges ahead at 11 k, Schumacher fell back to 33rd amidst a group of skiers including Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson.

    “It was fun to race a mass start again,” Schumacher emailed. “I thought it would go out fast and then cruise but it went out quite slowly, which was a little frustrating in the belly of the pack. The second lap also seemed pretty relaxed, and as the pace quickened through halfway I was feeling like I was skiing well and moving up. And then near the top of the climb, the wheels fell off and I just flooded hard. Thankfully there was a big downhill to recover, but I really lost my momentum. So not perfect pacing, but it was fun to ski closer to the front for a little while.”

    As his first Tour de Ski, the prospect of an eight-stage slog can be daunting. Decidedly, Schumacher is taking each stage one by one, each a unique opportunity to learn and grow.

    “I definitely approached the day as a singular race, just with the goal of doing as well as I could,” Schumacher wrote. “The risk that I could’ve taken would be double poling on skate skis, but I figured that would not be a good move with the idea of an 8-race tour.”
    He added that the race was a reminder to strategically pace at altitude.
    Gus Schumacher (USA) – FIS world cup cross-country, tour de ski, mass men, Val Mustair (SUI). www.nordicfocus.com. © Vianney THIBAUT/NordicFocus. Every downloaded picture is fee-liable.

    Scott Patterson was the next best American in 43rd (+2:17.6), with teammates Simi Hamilton 46th (+2:38.1), and Kevin Bolger 59th (+3:25.6), respectively.

    “Across the board, it was a disappointing day for the guys, just call it what was,” said U.S. Head Coach Matt Whitcomb after the race. “Gus probably showed the most signs of promise today, he skied within the top-20 for the parts of the race and top-25 before he was kind of running out of gas. He was pretty cached on the fourth lap. We will just make sure he continues to fuel well it is one of those places where if you go a little too hard on any one lap which is my guess as to what happened, you end up having a pretty heavy tax late in the race. It comes back to bite you and sometimes you get away with it. I am not one who likes to see people ski a conservative race I like to see people aiming for the bull’s eye and he did that and that is how to get faster.”

    Scott Patterson for the U.S. placed 43rd in stage 2. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Simi Hamilton of the U.S. at the start of the men’s 15 k mass start classic. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    The Men’s Overall:

    Tomorrow’s stage for the men, a 15 k skate pursuit, sees Bolshunov starting first, one minute ahead of second starter Maltsev. Svensson begins third (+1:00), and Cologna fourth (+1:11).

    Stage 2 Results | Men’s TdS Overall Standings

     

    The men’s stage 2 podium: Dario Cologna (SUI) in second, Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) first, and Ivan Yakimushkin (RUS) third, (l-r). (Photo: NordicFocus)

  • Svahn Wins Back-to-Back in Val Müstair; Diggins 3rd, Brennan 6th (Updated)

    Svahn Wins Back-to-Back in Val Müstair; Diggins 3rd, Brennan 6th (Updated)

    And they’re off! The women take to the course in Stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski, a 10-kilometer mass start classic in Val Müstair, Switzerland. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    Light snow continued to fall in the quaint Swiss village nestled in Val Müstair as the athletes took to the tracks for the first distance stage of the 2021 Tour de Ski, a 10-kilometer mass start classic race. As the first mass start of the season, the women kicked, glided, and poled over 10-kilometers broken into four challenging laps, seeing exactly where they stacked up relative to their competitors.

    With four consecutive distance stages, the Tour quickly becomes part poker match, part ultramarathon. Standings and cumulative time are influenced not only by the final result from each day, but by the bonus points athletes can garner at checkpoints on course; in today’s case, an opportunity at the 3.3 kilometer mark.

    The picturesque village and tracks of Val Müstair play host the first three stages of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    As position in the field is relatively clear in a mass start — versus chasing the splits of a “ghost” racer in an interval start — tactics, patience, and drafting become more significant. 

    Today, it was soon evident who intended to make a run at the dealer in the Stage 2 match. Wearing a bright green bib as overall U23 leader, Sweden’s Frida Karlsson skied at the front of the pack from the start. She out-sprinted teammate Ebba Anderson approaching the 3.3 k checkpoint to snag the maximum of 15 bonus points, and seemed to be comfortably kicking up each of the steady climbs. After her defeat of Norway’s powerhouse Therese Johaug at last year’s Holmenkollen 30k, albeit in part attributed to Johaug’s decision not to change skis, Karlsson solidified her position as a woman to watch in distance races.

    Frida Karlsson sets the pace with Diggins marking from behind during Stage 2 of the 2021 TdS. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    However, despite her seeming authority at the front, she was unable to create any true gap to the women behind her. At the midpoint of the last lap, six women sat on her tails including two women whose stars and stripes flashed on their legs as they matched the tempo of the other women striding alongside them. 

    One of these women, Jessie Diggins, comes off a second place finish in yesterday’s sprint. Diggins held her position in the top three throughout the race, at times challenging Karlsson at the front, leaving no room for weakness or error on the young Swede’s part. 

    Rosie Brennan tucks into the lead group during Stage 2 of the Tour de Ski, a 10-kilometer mass start classic. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Fellow American Rosie Brennan, who finished fourth in Stage 1 also sat comfortably in the lead group, matching the surges that were made to break away as the race progressed. 

    In the final two kilometers, the other women began their own runs for the win, challenging Karlsson who was faltering, but unwilling to fold. Up the final climb and down the same screaming S-turn descent featured in the sprint course, the women charged furiously toward the finish, Karlsson slowly being swallowed into the pack. 

    Rounding the final corner and thrashing her poles to accelerate toward the finish, a different woman in white lycra took the reins. 21-year-old Linn Svahn, the winner of yesterday’s skate sprint and of the 2019/2020 World Cup sprint globe, put her closing speed on display to stop the clock at 30:09.9. Though she has won FIS distance races on home soil, this is Svahn’s first distance win at the World Cup level.

    The top women fight to the line during Stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. Sweden’s Linn Svahn took the win, with Yulia Stupak (RUS) and Jessie Diggins in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Sweden’s Linn Svahn throws her boot to seal the deal on victory in Stage 2 of the TdS, a 10-kilometer mass start classic. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “It was really fun. I love going classic,” she told FIS after the race. “My plan was to just keep it as chill as I could, then watch the girls going strong on the uphill and try not to use so much energy. When I knew it was one lap left, I just kept thinking ‘I need to win this. I need to win this.’ So it was really good to race today.”

    A champion in sprint and distance, Sweden’s Linn Svahn wins back-to-back stages of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Just behind, a threesome including Diggins, Karlsson, and Yulia Stupak of Russia fought for the remaining spots on the podium. Stupak and Diggins crept ahead of the Swede, matching each other’s poling tempo before throwing their boots at the line. Stupak barely edged out Diggins, taking second (+0.7) with Diggins just behind in third (+0.8). 

    Airborne and on form, Diggins celebrates her third place finish in Stage 2 of the Tour de Ski. Sweden’s Linn Svahn (center) took the win, followed by Russia’s Yulia Stupak in 2nd. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “We had great skis out there!” wrote Diggins in an exuberant post race email. “Huge thanks to our service team and coaches for all their hard work, and the Salomon service team for their help picking my skis before the race!”

    Diggins continued by commenting on today’s effort, and how this classic result represents years of focus on technique and collaboration with her coaches and teammates.

    “My goals for today were to ski smooth and really work the downhills without letting them become a stress in a mass start environment, so I stayed near the front to keep out of trouble. This was a great course for me with all the long power-striding, and when I felt good on the last half of the last lap I just decided to push it! For someone previously labeled as a skater only, it was very exciting to find myself sprinting for the podium in a 10 km classic race, and confidence-boosting as well since I’ve been working so hard for so long on my classic striding! I think that improvement speaks to our coaches’ dedication and our positive team environment where we can learn from one another and push each other in our weaker areas. This summer I really benefitted from my SMST2 teammates helping me push the envelope in classic intervals and I’m extremely grateful to them!”

    Coming on form in the 2021 Tour de Ski, Jessie Diggins takes third in Stage 2. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Despite spending over 8 kilometers at the front, Karlsson took the wooden medal in fourth (+1.4). She was followed closely by Katharina Hennig of Germany in fifth (+2.0), with Rosie Brennan on her tails for sixth (+4.5). 

    Evidence of the effort, the leaders of the Stage 2 of the 2021 TdS, a 10-kilometer mass start classic, gasp for air at the finish line. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “Today was the first mass start of the season, which is always a little nerve wracking for me as I prefer individual starts,” wrote Brennan in an email to multiple news outlets. “My goal was to keep things as close as possible and then see what I left in the end. I think I did this well as I skied in the front pack throughout the race. I was unhappy with my tactics on the long gradual downhill coming back towards the stadium. I took a gamble on lane choice that didn’t pan out and found myself out of contention for the sprint finish, but managed to minimize my time lost to the leaders and also get a career-best classic result so I am proud of that. I am in a great position for tomorrow’s pursuit start so I hope to find some good energy and take advantage of that!”

    Outside the top-10 with noteworthy finishes were Hailey Swirbul in 17th (+40.5) and Katharine Ogden in 22nd (+1:21.2). Swirbul was among a larger lead group through the 5 k, dropping into a chase pack as the top 10 began to break away.  

    Hailey Swirbul on her way to a 17th place finish in Stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Katharine Ogden on course in Stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Caitlin Patterson was the next American finisher in 38th (+2:10.4), followed by Julia Kern in 41st (+2:30.6), and Sophie Caldwell Hamilton in 46th (32.49.0). Caldwell Hamilton experienced a crash near the end of the first clustered lap; “You got it, Soph!” could be heard from a passing teammate. 

    Post-race comments on the women’s 10k mass start from U.S. Head Coach Matt Whitcomb. 

     

    Julia Kern on course in Stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Overall Tour de Ski and World Cup Standings

    With back-to-back wins, Svahn leads the 2021 Tour de Ski by 13 seconds, with Diggins in 2nd, and Karlsson third (+0:18).

    Because of snagging the bonus points in today’s stage, Karlsson sits at the top of the TdS point standings with Diggins one point behind in second, and Svahn three points back in third. 

    Brennan skis to 6th in Stage 2 of the 2021 Tour de Ski, adding to a string of outstanding performances. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Continuing her streak of outstanding races, Brennan remains in possession of the yellow bib as overall and distance World Cup points leader and sits 4th in the TdS standings for both time (+0:20) and FIS points. 

    The tour continues tomorrow with a 10-kilometer skate pursuit.

    Stage 2 Results | Overall TdS Standings After Stage 2: Cumulative Time | Points

  • Pellegrino Provides Sunshine in Snowy Val Müstair As 2021 Tour de Ski Begins; Hamilton 13th

    Pellegrino Provides Sunshine in Snowy Val Müstair As 2021 Tour de Ski Begins; Hamilton 13th

    Federico Pellegrino of Italy crosses the line first for his third World Cup sprint win in a row. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    A new year, new snow, and some welcome faces at the start of the 2021 Tour de Ski in Val Müstair, Switzerland. In this 15th edition of the TdS, the first three stages of eight take place in Val Müstair. The tour then proceeds to stages in Toblach and Val di Fiemme, Italy. 

    Friday’s 1.4-kilometer freestyle sprint was a two-lap race on a course featuring banked turns, waves, and a small jump. This cross-country sprint playground was exactly that for Italy’s Federico Pellegrino (30) won the final’s in 3:08.44 as steady snow fell over the iconic alpine valley setting. The final featured Russians Alexander Bolshunov, Gleb Retivykh, and Artem Maltsev, with Frenchmen Richard Jouve and Lucas Chanavat rounding out the group of six. 

    On the first lap, the Russians played coy and skied behind, while Chanavat commanded the pace. As the second loop began, Pellegrino began his surge creating a small gap to Bolshunov in second and Jouve third. Careening down the winding curves, Pellegrino free skated his way into the rollers, pumping over the top to accelerate into the final curve and maintain command from the front as he entered the final lanes. 


    Alexander Bolshunov, the overall favorite for this edition of the TdS, places second, a spot behind Italy’s Federico Pellegrino who won the day. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Though Bolshunov was closing hard behind him, Pellegrino stayed strong enough to comfortably take the stage. The Russian locked up second (+0.57) with Jouve in third (+2.43). Retivykh placed fourth (+4.33), Maltsev fifth (+4.82), and Chanavat sixth (+28.28). 

    Friday’s win was Pellegrino’s third World Cup freestyle sprint victory in a row after taking the top podium step in Davos and Dresden. Already leading the overall sprint standings coming into today’s race, Pellegrino added more points to pad his lead. 

    “[My legs] hurt; it hurts a lot… I think the feeling was better in the qualification than in the final, but I knew that I wanted to be really good here today,” Pellegrino told FIS after the race. “I had a lot of pressure, just made by myself, because after two victories, for sure you feel that you can continue to win.”

    Federico Pellegrino and Alexander Bolshunov setting the pace. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Pellegrino made his dedication and intent clear from the beginning. He posted the fastest qualifying time on course by over two seconds, stopping the clock at 3:02.19.

    “This is my job,” he said about his participation in the Tour. “To race here is really important.” 

    The Italian continued by commenting on how the pandemic has affected his country and the traditional New Year’s celebrations that occur.  He expressed his wishes to provide an uplift and source of national pride during this challenging time. 

    “I hope to have given a little bit of sunshine on this new 2021 year.”

    Wearing the yellow bib as the overall World Cup leader, Bolshunov is the real threat for the TdS overall. He won last season’s edition, which offered a full complement of racers from Norway. (Norway is not contesting the TdS due to the ongoing pandemic). On his way to winning the 2020 TdS, Bolshunov won a single stage of the TdS, stage 4’s 15 k classic pursuit, before securing the overall on the Val di Fiemme final hill climb. 

    Let’s take a step back into the earlier rounds. 

    Simi Hamilton amidst a slew of Russian skiers, placed 13th overall on Friday after qualifying in 4th. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Showing great form, Simi Hamilton led the American men with a 4th place finish  (+2.9) in the qualifier. Kevin Bolger snagged the final spot in the top-30 (+9.23) and both men stepped into the starting gates in the second heat of the quarterfinals. 

    Unfortunately, a broken pole near the start robbed Bolger of the chance to truly compete. He lost contact with the pack and ended the day in 30th. 

    Kevin Bolger takes a tumble in Val Müstair, Switzerland. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    01.01.2021 Val Mustair, Switzerland (SUI):<br /> Kevin Bolger (USA), Gleb Retivykh (RUS), Evgeniy Belov (RUS), Simeon Hamilton (USA), (l-r) - FIS world cup cross-country, tour de ski, individual sprint, Val Mustair (SUI). www.nordicfocus.com. © Modica/NordicFocus. Every downloaded picture is fee-liable.
    Bolger, recovering after a snapped pole in his quarterfinal. Simi Hamilton in bib 4. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    01.01.2021 Val Mustair, Switzerland (SUI):<br /> Evgeniy Belov (RUS), Simeon Hamilton (USA), Andrew Musgrave (GBR), Andrey Melnichenko (RUS), (l-r) - FIS world cup cross-country, tour de ski, individual sprint, Val Mustair (SUI). www.nordicfocus.com. © Modica/NordicFocus. Every downloaded picture is fee-liable.
    Bolger upright and on the go as the pack gains ground. Bolger finished 30th overall. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Racing with the agility and tactics for which he is known, Hamilton tucked in behind the three Russians that led the first lap of the heat. As they accelerated into the tight downhill S-turns, Hamilton edged his way up in the group, reaching his hand out to touch the skier next to him, signaling his presence with confidence and authority to diffuse a potential tangle.  

    In his second lap, Hamilton held second position on the tails of Andrey Melnichenkov (RUS), seemingly getting in position for a top-two finish early. Coming into the final turn, Hamilton was forced to stay wide, allowing Gleb Retivykh the more direct line. Hamilton fought with Melnichenkov and Retivykh all the way to the line, but couldn’t quite make up the ground. He finished third in the heat, 0.02 seconds off the time needed to advance to the semi as a lucky loser. Hamilton ended the day 13th. 

    “Today was nothing amazing result-wise, but I think there were a lot of good signs for me that indicates I’m skiing at a strong level right now,” Hamilton wrote in an email to FasterSkier after the race. “Obviously I wanted to be back in the final, but the near-perfect racing it takes for me to do that didn’t shake out today. I was really psyched with my qualifier, and my body felt quite good during that effort.”

    Hamilton continued with insight into his approach to the tour and his outlook after today’s very near miss. 

    “I’ve been feeling a little tired the last few days, so I’ve been taking it very, very easy, and I wasn’t sure how everything would respond after basically taking three days totally off. Obviously, my main goal for the tour is to perform well in the sprints, but I’d like to feel good on the distance days too so I wasn’t really preparing this week like I would have if I were putting all my eggs in today’s basket. Instead, I took a much more conservative approach to things to make sure I was giving my body the rest it needs for this whole eight race event. In my quarter I felt pretty strong and I thought I skied it tactically well, but I got boxed out on the outside coming into the finish lanes and I lost what turned out to be a very important tenth of a second from that. So, yeah, frustrating but you can’t always just look at the results to decide whether a race went well or not.”

    Gus Schumacher of the U.S. during qualification. He placed 31st overall, just missing the rounds. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Barely outside rounds, Gus Schumacher ended his day after the qualifier in 31st (+9.55). Distance racer Scott Patterson took 79th (+22.72). 

    Racing continues tomorrow as stage 2 of the Tour de Ski offers up a 15 k classic mass start for the men.

    Results: Qualifier | Final 

  • Tour De Ski Opens With Spills and Thrills in Val Müstair; Diggins 2nd, Brennan 4th

    Tour De Ski Opens With Spills and Thrills in Val Müstair; Diggins 2nd, Brennan 4th

     

    Sweden’s Linn Svahn winning the first stage of the 2021 TdS in Val Müstair, Switzerland. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    This World Cup coverage is made possible through the generous support of Marty and Kathy Hall and their A Hall Mark of Excellence Award. To learn more about A Hall Mark of Excellence Award or to learn how you can support FasterSkier’s coverage please contact info@fasterskier.com.

    Out with 2020, in with 2021. Here in the world of multicolored lycra and skinny skis, we are kicking off the new year with the opening of the Tour de Ski on the sprint track of Val Müstair, Switzerland. As snow fell lightly but steadily, the usually remarkable mountain backdrop was veiled, narrowing our focus to the athletes as they embark on the grueling eight stages over ten days that is the TdS.  

    The two-lap 1.4-kilometer sprint course in the alpen valley featured two punchy climbs per lap leading down into fast and tight S-turns. Small rollers after these turns kept the skiers on their toes as they charged around the course.   

    Though the Norwegian athletes remain absent from the World Cup and TdS, the Swedish women are back in full force. They made their sprint prowess known in the qualifier, with 26-year-old Maja Dahlqvist setting the fastest time by nearly three seconds in 3:30.86. Seven members of their squad qualified for the heats, with an additional three in the top 10: Linn Svahn in 2nd, Moa Lundgren 4th, and Frida Karlsson in 8th. Though Karlsson is normally known for her distance racing (in particular besting Norway’s dominant Theresa Johaug at last year’s Holmenkollen 30 k), her possession of the green U23 Overall World Cup leader bib evidenced that she was not to be dismissed as a contender for the stage. 

    Rosie Brennan (yellow bib) locked onto Sweden’s Moa Lundgren (bib 4). (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Wearing the yellow Overall World Cup leader bib, Rosie Brennan was the top American qualifier in 5th (+4.38), followed by Hailey Swirbul in 13th (+8.65), Jessie Diggins in 14th (+8.96), Sophie Caldwell Hamilton in 16th (+9.77), and Julia Kern in 25th (+12.61).

    Brennan raced in a stacked first heat of the quarterfinals, racing against two of the top Swedes, Dahlqvist and Lundgren, in addition to Russia’s Natalia Nepyaeva, teammate Kern, and Switzerland’s Laurien van der Graaff. Brennan stayed near the front and in position to advance from the get-go, but couldn’t break from the lead group of four. She finished in a three-way photo finish with Nepyraeva and Lundgren, taking third but snagging a lucky loser spot allowing the threesome to all advance into the semis.  

    Jessie Diggins finding her form in Val Müstair, Switzerland where she placed second overall in the TdS stage 1 sprint. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Also advancing from the quarters from the fifth heat, Diggins held a position near the front throughout her heat, showing with her lightning-fast tempo that she intended to advance. She pushed Karlsson and Italy’s Greta Laurent break from the remainder of the group. In the second lap, Diggins had the fastest V1 cadence on the climbs and stayed smooth in the descents, priming herself for good positioning in the final sprint to win the quarter. 

    Ending their day after the quarters, Caldwell Hamilton marked Swedes Svahn and Emma Ribom. In her usual calm, cool, collected manner, she skied smoothly through the S-turn and tucked in comfortably on Ribom’s tails. Despite great position coming into the final lanes, Caldwell Hamilton could not quite overtake Ribom and finished centimeters behind for third in the heat. Swirbul stayed close to the leaders but was unable to fight for the top two and ultimately ended the heat in third also. Neither heat was fast enough to obtain a lucky loser spot. 

    Sophie Caldwell (bib 16) qualified in 16th and placed 16th overall in Friday’s skate sprint. (Photo: NordicFocus)
    Hailey Swirbul, here in bib 13 during stage 1 of the 2021 Tour de Ski, placed 15th overall. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    On to the semifinals. Racing on home soil in the tight first heat, Nadine Fähndrich (SUI) edged out her opponents for the win in a three-way photo finish with Slovenia’s Anamarija Lampic and Sweden’s Dahlqvist. Considering Lampic and Fähndrich both finished in the top four of the last two freestyle sprints in Davos and Dresden, this result serves as a testament to the depth of the sprint field in those venues despite the lack of Swedes, Finns, and Norwegians. 

    Brennan and Diggins took off in the second heat, marking Swedes Svahn and Karlsson who held the front in the first lap. In the second lap, Brennan upped the tempo on the climbs, while Diggins pushed over the top and worked the downhill, free skating out of the rollers and putting herself into position to charge down the lanes ahead of Karlsson to hold onto the second position and a secure advance to the final. 

    Frida Karlsson (SWE), Jessie Diggins (USA), Greta Laurent (ITA), (l-r) during stage 1 of the 2021 TdS. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    Fighting for millimeters, Karlsson and Brennan were just behind in third and fourth. Both squeaked through as lucky losers, but only just as Brennan’s time was a mere 0.1 seconds faster than the next fastest time. 

    The pace stayed hot and the pack stayed tight in the first lap of the final. Diggins and Brennan stayed in the mix near the middle of the pack and in contention for the podium. 

    As the racers rounded the bend into the second lap, Svahn began firing on all cylinders, taking off at the front with Lampic and Fähndrich marking her from a couple ski lengths back. Just when the top-3 positions seemed locked up, Lampic and Fähndrich brushed skis in the downhill S-turn causing Fähndrich to crash, losing sight of the podium. Svahn continued to hammer, flying down the final stretch to take the win with Lampic nearly a second behind her. 

    Seizing the opportunity, Diggins nimbly dodged around the downed Fähndrich, hopping over her pole and hitting the gas to drop a chasing Karlsson and snag third. 

    Linn Svahn during qualification in Val Müstair, Switzerland. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “I didn’t know how I’d feel in high altitude,” Svahn told FIS after the race. (Val Müstair sits above 4000 ft.)  “I tried to take the first lap to get into my own zone and technique, then I tried to push all I had in the last uphill since the other girls were going really strong beside me.”

    FIS also asked about Svahn’s goals for the tour ahead. 

    “I try to focus on each race, and now I’ll just focus on getting my legs working again after these tracks,” Svahn said with a tired laugh.

    After a lengthy review, during which Diggins demonstrated the importance of staying on top of nutrition during the arduous tour by refueling with a bowl of pasta on the sidelines, Lampic was deemed to have interfered and was disqualified. This moved Diggins into the second position on the podium, with Karlsson stepping into third.  

    “Today was a fun way to start 2021,” wrote Diggins in a post-race email to FasterSkier. “But I think it’s important for me to say that I’m equally as proud of my all-out effort and our team today as I am when I’m not on the podium! It was just another day of giving it my absolute best effort, but the patience and trust in the training plan that Cork and I set down together has been paying off and my race form is coming into sharper focus now.”

    Jessie Diggins finishing second overall on Friday’s stage 1 sprint. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    So far this season, Diggins had a near miss at the podium with a 4th place at the individual sprint in Dresden and was unable to advance from the quarterfinals in Davos after getting boxed out on a curve just before the final straightaway. Today marks her first podium of the season in sprint or distance.

    “The final was exciting, for sure,” she wrote. “I fell behind a bit on the steep climb, and was working my way down the downhill sections with as much speed as I could when I saw Nadine go down and slide around the corner in front of me. I didn’t want to hit her (or break her equipment, or my own) so I jumped over her pole while rounding the corner! In sprinting you can get lucky or be the recipient of incredibly bad luck, and today the luck definitely came my way (and I’m grateful for it).

    “It was so exciting to have Team USA be 1/3 of the women’s final,” concluded Diggins. “And for myself, it was exciting to be out there having fun, not putting pressure on myself but still skiing with confidence and enjoying the banked turns and rollers all at the same time.”

    With the disqualification, Brennan moved into fourth position. Though historically stronger in distance, Brennan has shown her potential as an all-arounder this season with back-to-back sprint and distance wins in Davos and a fifth-place overall standing in the opening mini-tour in Ruka. 

    Rosie Brennan (l) and Jessie Diggins in Val Müstair, Switzerland after the first stage of the TdS. (Photo: NordicFocus)

    “It was a surreal day to be starting the Tour de Ski with the yellow bib,” Brennan wrote in a post-race email to multiple news outlets. “My one goal was to fight with what I had and I felt I did that well so I am proud of my effort out there today. I still have to remind myself just how far my sprinting has come and not change my expectations so quickly. This was only my second final ever and I am just so excited by the gains I’ve made.

    “This might be the hardest sprint course I have ever raced,” Brennan continued. “It’s long, at altitude, and had some slow snow out there today. With that in mind, I tried to keep things under control, but also use my strengths. I had a near miss in the quarterfinal and was really happy about my quick acceleration in the finish after getting stopped up. I worked hard in the semi to keep the pace high to ensure our heat would have lucky losers which I then benefited from. However, I was pretty beat by the time we got to the final. I tried to open up on the second lap, but there wasn’t much there. I stayed out of trouble and for that was rewarded another two places. That’s a sprint race for you…That was a tough start to the Tour so the focus will now be on recovery to get ready for tomorrow and all the races to come. It’s also very cool to note that we had our 4th different girl on the podium in just 4 weeks of racing. Our team is really working hard to get through this tough season together and support one another as we navigate the world.”

    Outside the top 30, Katharine Ogden finished 49th in the qualifier (+20.07), followed by Caitlin Patterson in 57th (+22.25). 

    Results: Qualifier | Final