December 05, 2015 (Lillehammer, NOR) – For the second weekend in a row Sadie Bjornsen set the pace leading four Americans into the points as the Winthrop, WA-skier placed 20th in the women’s 15km Skiathlon won decisively by Norway’s Therese Johaug. In the battle for second Norway’s Heidi Weng pipped Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla in a sprint to the line.

Sadie Bjornsen (USA) © Nordic Focus

The USA’s Liz Stephen placed 25th, Jessie Diggins was 26th, Caitlin Gregg grabbed 30th, Rosie Brennan finished 37th while the lone Canadian, Emily Nishikawa was 52nd.

“It was a solid day for me today with some super positives and some struggles. I had a tough start just being in the wrong place at the wrong time on a really thin track, so managed to get pushed back a little too far in the classic. I had awesome kick, but not the fastest skis, so again, it wasn’t so helpful for catching back to that front pack. My best pursuit races often come when I have great classic legs, because the skate leg becomes a race of holding on,” said Bjornsen

“With a challenging classic leg, I tried to rekindle my frustrations, and focus on skating the best I could. I was really happy with how I was skiing the hills, but unfortunately kept getting dropped out of the draft on the downhills, so didn’t feel like I found my full potential. I also got skid over the top of in the finish zone, and unfortunately wasn’t able to give a good sprint to pass Maria, but fortunately didn’t get caught by anyone.

“That is how every race is, you have some goods, some bad’s, and you get stoked for the next one! Regardless of how it went, it was fun to share the Lillehammer vibe and energy out there on the course. Nothing beats racing in Norway with all the fans and excitement! Can’t even wait until tomorrow,” she concluded.

Elizabeth Stephen © Yngve_Johansson

For Stephen it was a good day at the office as she scored her first points of the season.

“The race for me today was a good step up from Kuusamo. I scored my first points of the season and I am happy to feel as though I skied the best I could today. It can be tough to look at results from a day and see that you are so far from the leaders, but I think that the best thing to do is to assess what your personal goals for the day had been and how closely you came to meeting them.

“Today, my goals were to feel calm and relaxed on all the downhills, score points and go like hell on the up hills. I accomplished these goals today so, though I want more, I am happy with my performance.

“The season is long and our team is just getting started. The wax staff is working super well together, which is wonderful as we have so many new faces and they really nailed the classic skis for me today. I am at a point in my classic skiing where I really need kick to be able to do what I know I can do, and I had that. It’s a dream to be a member of this team and I am really excited to get our giddy up going tomorrow in the first relay of the season,” she added.

Jessie Diggins in action © Michael Renström, Imega Promotion

Diggins was also happy with her progress.

“I’m happy with today’s race and I think my classic skiing took a step forward with all the steep hills from where it was last year. I worked my way up a few places in the skate half and I had really great skis today in both techniques. My body was a little bit tired, and I’ll be doing a little more recovery training next week to prepare for Davos. But to score points in Lillehammer, with a slight amount of fatigue carried over from last weekend, is really good for me so I know my fitness is where it needs to be,” she shared by email.

Caitlin Gregg © Michael Renström, Imega Promotion

For Gregg it was affirmation that she’s back on track.

“Today’s race was a solid result for me and a step in the right direction! Last weekend was my first “off” weekend since I started training this year and it hit me as a huge surprise. Today I felt much more like myself!

“I thought my skis were great, especially in the classic. Ida [Sargent] let me borrow a pair of her classic Madshus skis and they were perfect for the conditions. I am very grateful and hope to return the favor to her at some point this season! My skate skis also felt good but I actually felt way better in the classic portion of the race. That was by far my best classic effort in a World Cup race.

“I do not know what the relay will be tomorrow but I am looking forward to racing any opportunities that come along! Next weekend is also my favorite event the 15k skate in Davos so I am really looking forward to that,” Gregg confided.

Full results here.