March 09, 2016 (Canmore, Alta.) – Norway ruled the women’s 1.5 km Classic sprint as the final leg of Ski Tour Canada got underway in mild conditions at Canmore with Maiken Caspersen Falla leading a Norge podium sweep, a fitting result for the Norwegian speed queen who officially received the Sprint Cup globe as well. US star, Jessie Diggins, delivered yet another career-best performance as she made the final to claim 6th, while Canada’s Dahria Beatty turned heads with the race of her life taking home 15th.

Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen was second and Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg also of Norway finished third as Falla was officially presented with the overall Sprint Cup globe which she had already clinched in Quebec City.

“I went into the season with one of my big goals being to qualify in a classic sprint…and getting to be in the final was like, WHAT?,” said Diggins. “It was super awesome, and I had great skis. Our guys worked so hard.”

One day after celebrating her 22nd birthday, Beatty not only qualified for the heats for the first time at a World Cup, but came agonizingly close to securing one of two lucky loser spots in the semifinals.

 

“I had a lot of energy. The coaches said to just race and don’t be afraid to go to the front. I found myself up at the front at the beginning. Those top three girls caught back up at the top of the climb, but I just kept pushing hard,” said Beatty.

“When Johaug took a tumble, she was able to pull me back in it a bit. I pushed really hard and just missed out on a lucky loser position by .3 of a second. My best result at World Juniors is 15th so to be able to have that same result here on a World Cup is amazing,” added Beatty.

The qualifications saw four Americans advance to the heats with Sophie Caldwell 9th, Sadie Bjornsen 11th, Diggins 13th, and Ida Sargent 18th as Beatty skied assertively as well nearly catching the starter in front of her to place 29th.

For both Sargent and Bjornsen the day came to an end in their respective 1/4 final heats. Diggins and Caldwell were in the same quarter final which Diggins won while Caldwell advanced as a Lucky Loser. In the semis they found themselves in the same heat again only this time it was Diggins who advanced to the final as a lucky loser as Caldwell finished 6th and was out.

The final saw a sea of red take charge early with Falla attacking near the end to solo in for the gold remaining undefeated in classic sprints since last season in Drammen. Caldwell won the classic sprint competition in during the Tour de Ski but Falla was not on the start list that day.

“I have been in a great shape and I always try to give everything I have when I have a race bib on,” said Falla at the finish. “It feels great to win the globe and also the last sprint of the season. Now I am focused on the position in the Overall World Cup standing and Ski Tour Canada.”

Qualifications here
Results here