January 02, 2016 (Lenzerheide, SUI) – US teammates Jessie Diggins, Sadie Bjornsen and Liz Stephen battled to top-20 finishes in the women’s 15km CL mass start race at round two of the Tour de Ski on Saturday as Therese Johaug led a Norwegian sweep with Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg in second, followed by Heidi Weng in third.

Bjornsen (l) and Diggins © Nordic Focus

With a final boost of energy just meters from the finish line Diggins secured 12th just ahead of Bjornsen who finished 13th – both about 14 seconds from a top-10 result. Stephen had a remarkable comeback starting 63rd and skied her way to finish 20th.

“I was really happy with my race yesterday and today. I’ve come into the Tour confident in my plan and feeling fit and rested after a great Christmas break with my teammates in Davos,” said Diggins.

“Today my plan was to go hard at the start to get out of the mass start chaos and then settle into a rhythm. I had great kick so I was able to really get my power striding going on the long gradual climb, and I got to ski with Sadie [Bjornsen] for most of the race which was super fun,” she added.

Sadie Bjornsen © Nordic Focus

Bjornsen, who just just missed the final in yesterday’s Sprint FR, had another strong day in Lenzerheide.

“I was really happy with the feelings and my result yesterday. Of course I was sad to have missed the A-final by such a small amount! But, each sprint race I feel better and more confident in my abilities, so I’m just always looking forward to the next try.

“Today was another fun day. I had many highs and lows throughout the race. Sometimes feeling on fire, sometimes dropping off the back of the pack, but I never let myself give up. I had fantastic skis for the second day, and the tracks were holding together really well, so it was the perfect opportunity day. Jessie was so strong today and really helping me believe I could push harder. I just kept looking at her and getting nothing but good vibes from how well she was doing,” commented the Winthrop, WA skier.

“I had spectacular skis, and a ton of fun chasing Jessie around the course,” added Bjornsen. “Jessie and I have opposite strengths, so sometimes I was charging, sometimes her, but I think we really helped each other today.”

Johaug wins © Nordic Focus

Johaug escaped early and never looked back winning by a massive 37s to take over the Tour lead gaining bonus points along the way. For the Americans, Bjornson is 8th overall, Diggins 9th, Caldwell 23rd, and Stephen 27th. The U.S. women’s team is currently seventh overall.

“As a team, classic distance racing is not our race of choice, but the team put five athletes in the points with Diggins, (Sadie) Bjornsen, Stephen, Hoffman and (Erik) Bjornsen, so we are content,” commented US coach Matt Whitcomb. “With tricky conditions, I was very happy with the work the techs did as several of the athletes came back saying they had perfect skis.”

Results here.
Overall TdS Standings here.

Women's podium © Nordic Focus