February 25, 2017 (Lahti, Finland) – The USA’s Kikkan Randall led the North Americans in 17th as  35,000 fans watched Norway’s Marit Bjoergen claim gold over over Finland’s Krista Parmakoski on Saturday in the women’s 15km Skiathlon (7.5km classic + 7.5km freestyle) at the 2017 Nordic World Championships. The bronze went to Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla.

Bjoergen and Parmakoski escaped during the skate portion after dropping Kalla and Norway’s Heidi Weng as the foursome had established themselves midway through the classic leg.

Fans were stoked to see Parmakoski test Bjoergen’s legs but in the end the Norwegian star was too strong attacking on the final climb to claim the gold with a 4.8-second lead over Parmakoski who settled for silver.

Bjoergen also skied her way into the history books yet again winning her 15th World Championship gold medal.  Entering the 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Bjoergen was tied with Russia’s Elena Valbe at 14 but with her victory today in the ladies’ 15km Skiathlon she stands alone atop this category.

“I kept little bit left so that I could keep control of the race at the end. I heard the crowd that was cheering was Krista. It was really special to ski against her on her home snow. I did not know how close Kalla was,” said Bjoergen.

Liz Stephen followed Randall in 20th with Rosie Brennan in 28th, Canada’s Cendrine Browne 35th. Emily Nishikawa 38th, and Katherine Stewart-Jones 40th. US star, Jessie Diggins, opted to abandon the race when she realized it was not her day.

Diggins started strong as the top American, but dropped back quickly and was 19th after the first of two classic laps. Just after the midway mark of the second lap, both Randall and Brennan caught her with all four Americans skiing together, before Diggins moved out in front again coming into the ski exchange. Around the 2k mark of the first skating leg, Diggins, who had moved up to 18th, chose to withdraw.

“I was struggling quite a bit on the classic,” said Diggins. “I didn’t ask for as much kick as I should have, which I accept responsibility for. But I was definitely struggling to maintain contact with the packs I needed to be with in order to individually have a good day. When I realized individually this wasn’t going to be my day, I made the call to prioritize the team events later in this week. I’ve been really putting a lot of focus towards these team events and that’s where my heart lies.”

During the middle period of the skate leg, Stephen moved up to lead the USA with Randall close behind. Coming into the homestretch, Randall solidified her top American position just ahead of Stephen.

“You can only control so much, but I certainly went into it wanting to perform my best and assuming I was going to,” said Stephen. “I think I did perform my best out there in classic. I had great skis-I kicked up everything. Something hasn’t clicked there yet-hopefully I can get it one of these years!”

Browne, the top Canadian, was pleased with her race. “Yes I’m very happy with today’s race: I topped my personal best so that’s pretty cool.

“My skis were awesome, the techs did a great job. I’m also happy about the way I skied, I managed to pass a few girls in the classic part and to dodge a crash and stay in the group. “The conditions were similar to what we have in Canada usually so I was pretty pumped. I’m used to skiing in those conditions.

“I also had a pretty quick exchange, which was a first for me! So I’m also happy about that as well. In the skate part a faded a little bit still tried to do my best and to ski well. Thanks to my first place as a Canadian, I was chosen to be on tomorrow’s team sprint. I’m pretty excited about that,” she concluded.

Bjoergen stoked to take the title. “I had bad exchange and I came behind the girls in the free technique. To win gold medal today was in my mind for a long time and it’s amazing I succeeded,” said the winner.

Results here.