January 10, 2015 (Val di Fiemme, ITA) – The USA’s Liz Stephen skied to a stellar fifth place in the women’s 10km CL mass start, the penultimate stage of the Tour de Ski, while Therese Johaug (NOR) the defending champ toppled her teammate Marit Bjoergen finally winning her first stage at this year’s Tour. Bjorgen continues to lead overall by over 2min.

Therese Johaug (NOR) © Nordic Focus

Stephen’s effort was her best individual classic distance result and boosted her to sixth overall with the famed 9km Alpe Cermis climb remaining on Sunday, one of her favourite stages where she has previously had the 2nd and 3rd fastest times.

“I had great skis today. It’s so warm and it was perfect klister skiing out there,” Stephen explained, “These courses really suit the way I ski, steep hills and long hills. I really liked being in Val di Fiemme with the memories of World Championships.”

Early in the race it became a battle between the top three women in the overall standings with Norwegian teammates Bjoergen, Johaug and Heidi Weng pulling away by the 2.5 km mark. Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk tried to go with the fast early pace but began to struggle and dropped back into the chasing group and end up in 7th place on the stage.

Women's start © Nordic Focus

Stephen started conservatively before moving through the field in the final kilometers of the race, skiing closely with Finnish racer Ano-Kaisa Saarinen. “I didn’t have a really fast start. I always had my eye on the person in front of me. I chased her down skiers in the final kilometers with Ano-Kaisa. We never looked back. There were times when I thought was I blowing up and done. But then I said, this is the day and why not me?

“I was really nervous before the race. It’s hard to race so late with the whole day ahead of you and the guys going first. I was spending a lot of time calming my nerves. Once the race started I was focused and comfortable.

“It’s my favourite event of the whole year,” Stephen said about Cermis following her finish, “It’s just you and the mountain, the gates and the people. I won’t sleep much tonight because I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Liz Stephen © Nordic Focus

Stephen had a special fan club trackside. Members of the women’s U.S. Alpine Ski Team, including World Cup skiers Resi Stiegler and Paula Moltzan, who were training nearby during a break in the Audi FIS Ski World Cup.

“Four of our alpine athletes, girls that are training twenty minutes up the valley came to watch today. It really meant a lot to have them come and watch and cheer me on at this event,” she continued.

She has also enjoyed the benefit of extra support as the only remaining U.S. athlete competing in the Tour de Ski. “I had seven techs working on my skis,” she laughed. “It’s a really nice change of pace to be overstaffed. I had amazing skis.”

The seventh stage begins tomorrow at noon CET. Universal Sports Network will carry same-day coverage at 3:00 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday.

Results here.
Overall standings here.