January 03, 2016 (Lenzerheide, SUI) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins and Sadie Bjornsen have secured top 10 positions overall, in 8th and 9th respectively, following the 5km FR Pursuit on Stage 3 at the Tour de Ski as the caravan enjoys its first rest day tomorrow. Meanwhile Norway’s Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg has become the first skier this season to beat compatriot Therese Johaug and in doing so has taken over the Tour’s red leader’s bib.

Jessie Diggins © Nordic Focus

“Today was a solid day for me. Not quite the 5km skate I was hoping for but I’ll definitely take it! Krista [Parmakoski – Finnish racer] and I traded leads the whole way and it was really great working with her…and of course it was sweet to have Sadie [Bjornsen] also having a great skate race!

“Coming into the last corner I had used the draft to pass Krista but hit an ice patch and skidded out wide, and ended up losing the sprint-off at the end, so that was one bobble that cost me a place but no overall time in the Tour. This is far and away the best start in the Tour I’ve ever had and I’m super psyched! Tour racing is hard and we are racing with some really awesome girls, so to be able to hold my place is a great confidence booster,” wrote Diggins.

Diggins and Bjornsen showed impressive teamwork while Liz Stephen moved up five spots to 22nd overall after solid efforts in the past two stages.

Sadie Bjornsen © Nordic Focus

“It was another fun day of the Tour. I had a speedy Jessie to hang on to, which helped a lot! I knew she was going to be strong, so I just made it my goal to stick on to her like glue. I feel really lucky to have a teammate to chase on a day like today, it helps my head a lot,” shared Bjornsen.

“Big thanks to the wax crew for great skis for a third day! Off to Germany we go. I am looking forward to a rest day tomorrow, and then getting things going again! You can guarantee there will be some time spent vertical tomorrow,” she added.

“I had a speedy Jessie to hang on to, which helped a lot,” said Bjornsen, who skied to ninth on the day, one position behind Diggins. “I knew Jessie was going to be strong, so I just made it my goal to stick on to her like glue.”

Women's podium (l-r) Johaug, Oestberg, Weng © Nordic Focus

For the second day in a row, the Norwegian women’s team swept the podium, but a new face stood on top. Johaug started the 5km pursuit with a 4.5-second lead, but with 2km left, Oestberg made an impressive move and attacked on the final climb to pass Johaug and claim the victory.

“Now I deserve the red bib,” said Oestberg. “It was very hard today. My legs were really tired at the end. It was my plan to catch Therese early and do my best. I am looking forward to the rest day.”

Results here
Overall TdS standings here.