November 29, 2015 (Ruka, Finland) – The USA’s Sadie Bjornsen was the top North American with a career-best 14th-place finish at the three-day Ruka Triple mini-tour marking the second year she has led the U.S. Ski Team. Bjornsen skied to 14th on the final 10km CL pursuit stage only 0.4s behind Nicol Fessel (Ger) in 13th.

Therese Johaug (NOR) © Nordic Focus

Norway’s Therese Johaug skied away from her rivals to win the overall with a comfortable margin for her first season opening mini-tour victory as her teammate Marit Bjoergen won the previous four. Stina Nilsson (Swe), known for her sprinting, broke away from the chase group to claim second at 22.6s behind Johaug with Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (Nor), also a sprinter, in third. Heidi Weng (Nor) who was in the running for a podium spot thought she’d finished and had to get back on course – she ended up 9th in tears due to her blunder.

“It was very hard today, the conditions were difficult. I was missing the grip on the uphills. I had to step out of the tracks. It is great to start the season with the first place in Ruka,” said Johaug. “I am really satisfied. I tried to focus on myself from the beginning. I got the information I was winning some seconds on the chase group”

We caught up with Bjornsen who wanted more but was happy just the same for her best result at the Ruka. “Sure I was aiming for top ten because that was a realistic goal, but I am also really satisfied. To hold my own in such challenging conditions, with a very, very fast crew all around me, I am happy,” said Bjornsen. “I could have easily continued to struggle and drop after that first lap, but I gave myself a little smacking and realized I had to make my opportunity today.”

Sadie Bjornsen (USA) © Nordic Focus

“It was another fun, and extra challenging day of racing in Kuusamo. It is so unique here, because the last couple years, conditions have been so challenging as temperatures hover around 32 degrees, and there is a mixture of rain and snow coming out of the sky… combining with a combination of manmade and real snow. So, with that, you always have to be good about keeping an optimistic attitude,” she continued.

Rosie Brennan was the next best American in 34th with Jessie Diggins 38th followed by Ida Sargent in 44th, Liz Stephen in 59th and Canada’s Emily Nishikawa in 60th.

Emily Nishikawa (CAN) © Nordic Focus

Bjornsen walked us thru her day in the tracks. “My first lap today was really hard, because I realized I had no kick in the track, and I felt like I was being passed by people constantly. Finally, by the second lap, I pulled myself together, and decided to just ski outside of the track for the majority of the race, and then things worked out much better! I was even having a lot of fun on the final lap!

“Patience and optimism is the key on a day like today though, because there is such a variety of things that are going on. Some teams are skiing everything no problem, some teams are struggling in the same places, and some teams just plain are having a terrible time! Today, I tried not to look around at the people I was skiing with, but instead I focused on doing the best I could with what I had. And, I was really satisfied at the end.

Sadie Bjornsen (USA) © Nordic Focus

“Thanks to our waxing crew again for busting butt on such a challenging condition! There was no simple answer out there today, it was a challenge no matter what! My wax tech did such an awesome job of keeping me relaxed and confident with what was going to happen, so I am so thankful for that!

“I am really stoked to finish with my best tour result ever. I am really satisfied with the weekend, and I know there is more to come, and more “less challenging conditions” to come as well! I am looking forward to a few days of recovery before some more great racing next weekend. I am really confident in the shape of the woman’s team right now. While some of them didn’t have their best this weekend- it wasn’t because of fitness- but more because of the special challenges of Kuusamo! So, I can’t wait for Sunday to throw some relay socks on, and do what our woman’s team does best… FIGHT,” she concluded.

Women's podium © Nordic Focus

Matt Whitcomb US Women’s head coach was pleased as well. “The weekend was a collection of pretty big hits and misses, but it’s the hits that we count, and the missed that we work through. We’re on track. Kuusamo presented us with the toughest waxing conditions, combined with some of the toughest courses, so it is always an intense introduction to the World Cup season.

“After only two weeks on the road together, our 23-person squad operated like a medal-winning program.  And we were very close to that podium with a  couple athletes, not to mention Sadie’s impressive three-stage top-15 result. That leaves me feeling very good about what we are going to accomplish this season,” he commented.

Overall results here.