January 08, 2012 (Val di Fiemme, Italy) – Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) stamped the 6th Tour de Ski with a convincing win on the grueling final 9km FR climb up Alpe Cermis pulling away from Marit Bjoergen (NOR) to claim her third consecutive Tour title.

But the real story for Tour fans in North America was Kikkan Randall’s fabulous skiing to claim 10th overall and her teammate Liz Stephen’s gutsy final day nailing the 8th fastest time to surge to 24th overall (from 32nd). Holly Brooks also finished the Tour placing 39th overall, another amazing feat as she has broken bones in her wrist. The US women’s team is coming of age.

Yesterday Randall told SkiTrax, “I’d love to fight to stay in the top 10 and if I have a really good day, I know the top 4 could be within reach. Time to just leave it all out there!”

Randall did just that demonstrating that her distance skills have made a quantum leaps in both classic and skating – last year at her first Tour she finished 21st.

Stephen was also optimistic the day before the final stage telling us, ‘I am constantly surprised at what the body is able to handle. The energy seems good, and the strategy is to catch as many people as I possibly can tomorrow.”

When asked how it feels to almost complete her first TdS she said, “Awesome. I am pumped to have finally gotten to do my first one and have a shot at a top 30 finish with a good race tomorrow. It has been everything I thought it would be, fun, tiring, and completely and totally rewarding.” And rewarded yet again she was.

Brooks injured wrist made for an even tougher Tour for the APU skie who told us she was looking forward to skiing the TdS healthy. “There is always something to learn or take away from each World Cup racing experience. The Tour is an awesome event and I really hope that I’ll get to take it on next year with full health!”

Bjoergen and Norway were denied, but with Therese Johaug winning the final Stage 9 Alpe Cermis 9km FR climb again and landing on the final podium in third, the Norwegians fared well and will undoubtedly be back to try and claim the only remaining spot. But if Kowalczyk is on the start line all contenders will have their work cut out for them.

Full report to follow.

Women’s Final 9km FR Stage results HERE.
Women’s Final 9km FR Stage results detail HERE.
Women’s Final TdS Overall HERE.