January 7, 2010 (Toblach, ITA) – Sara Renner (Can) broke the top 20 finishing 19th as Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) took control of Stage 6 at the Tour de Ski to win the 5km classic in Toblach by 11 seconds on Thursday and take over the Tour’s red bib leader’s jersey. AinoKaissa Saarinen (FIN) was second and Petra Majdic (SLO) was third.

But all three, including Arianna Follis (ITA) remain in within 35 seconds of each other, in contention for the overall Tour de Ski win. Renner sits in 21st overall at 4:29.5. Friday is the second rest day, before the Tour de Ski concludes in Val di Fiemme, ITA, which will also host two FIS World Cup Nordic Combined events.

On Saturday the TdS features a 10km and 20k classic mass start and on Sunday the grand finale – a 9km (women) and a 10km (men) hill climb, with the Tour leaders starting first and then pursued by the remaining racers in order of their time behind. The first skier to finish is the overall Tour winner.

Women’s press conference Toblach day 2


Women’s 5km classic full results here.
Women’s Overall TdS Standings here.

Results (brief)

1. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) 12:37.6
2. Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) +11.6
3. Petra Majdic (SLO) +14.8
4. Kristin Stoermer Steira (NOR) +25.6
5. Vibeke Skofterud (NOR) +27.1

19. Sara Renner (CAN) +47.6