December 29, 2013 (Oberhof, GER) – It was Sweden’s day to shine despite tough conditions at the Tour as Hanna Erikson took her first World Cup victory out-pacing 2nd-placed Nicole Herrmann (GER) in the final of the 1.5km women’s Sprint FR, along with Marit Bjørgen (NOR) who ended up 5th. Bjoergen’s teammate Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg, the fastest qualifier, grabbed the final podium spot.

Hanna Erikson (SWE) © Nordic Focus

The day started with promise for the North American contingent as the USA’s Sophie Caldwell qualified a strong 5th, with Canada’s Dasha Gaiazova just behind in 10th along with teammate Perianne Jones in 14th, followed by American Jessie Diggins in 18th. But none would advance beyond the quarterfinals despite some valiant attempts as the rain that fell would turn to snow as the heats ended.

Diggins looked strongest through her 1/4 final leading for most of it until the final sections as she battled with French star Aurore Jean and then fell back on the final climb to finish 5th in the heat and 18th on the day. Gaiazova (27th) and Jones (28th) also skied near the front in their heats but could not sustain the pace in the end.

Diggins in action © Nordic Focus

“I was really happy with my start in the quarterfinals; my goal was to get off to a strong start and be in the front or near it because the course is so twisty and very hard to pass on. I got a little tired near the end, and I also managed to somehow twist my right pole basket around 180 so on the last uphill climb I was struggling to get any power when missing pole plants. Lesson learned,” commented Diggins.

“It was a solid day but my body wasn’t feeling the way it was in the prologue…that that’s the beauty of the Tour de Ski – it’s about the long run, not each individual day! I’m looking forward to the next races, and getting to spend some time in Lenzerheide. I’m psyched for Andy’s top 10, Sophie’s amazing qualifier, and our team was SO close to having 3 more in the quarters – especially Liz! Watch out world, Liz is getting her skate sprint going, and it’s awesome,” she added.

Caldwell had the unique situation as she faced five German rivals on their home turf – talk about a stacked deck. The Vermont skier held her own admirably and for most of her race was in the top three but up the final climb she didn’t have the legs and ended up 5th in her heat and 22nd on the day.

Sophie Caldwell (USA) © Nordic Focus

“It was a little intimidating being in a heat with five German skiers in Germany. Let’s just say I probably wasn’t getting the most cheers out there, but everyone else in my heat was so I pretended they were for me,” shared Caldwell with Trax post-race.

“I felt great in my prelim and had a good start in my quarter, but I think I made a few tactical errors and then I was really spent by the long finishing stretch. The German women were also on fire today in every way – energy, numbers, and skis. I’m still learning a lot each time I qualify for the rounds, so I definitely have some positives from today and some things I still need to work on for next time,” she added.

Bjørgen continues to lead overall with Herrmann in second and Østberg 3rd. Caldwell is 13th overall for the USA while Gaiazova is 29th for Canada. Bjørgen also leads the TdS Sprint standings.

Qualifications here.
Full results here.
TdS Overall here.