February 23, 2013 (Val di Fiemme, Italy) – Marit Bjoergen lead a Norwegian podium sweep in the women’s 15km Skiathlon (7.5km CL+ 7.5km FR) as Norway dominated the second half of the race with four skiers and Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) breaking away soon after the skate leg began. Therese Johaug took silver and Heidi Weng earned her first Worlds podium taking the bronze, as Kristin Stoermer Steira claimed fourth and Kowalczyk fifth, wowing a crowd full of waving Norwegian flags.

American Liz Stephen had a great skate leg to finish in 20th (+2:08.) as described by her teammate Sadie Bjornsen in 37th (+3.22) “…she went by me like a bullet”. The USA’s Ida Sargent was 38th (+3:31) and veteran Holly Brooks fought her way back from 52nd at the start of the skate to finish 49th (+4:51).

At her first senior World Championships, Canadian Brittany Webster had a decent race finishing 57th (6:20) while teammate Emily Nishikawa, who has been suffering from sickness, did not finish – full report and photos coming.

Full results HERE.
Full results w/splits HERE.