March 01, 2017 (Lahti, Finland) – Norway’s Marit Bjoergen claimed her 16th championship gold medal with a decisive 41-second margin in the women’s 10km CL interval start race at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti. American Sadie Bjornsen was the top North American in 23rd.

Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla took home the silver while Norway’s Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen had a strong race as well earning the bronze at 55.5 second behind Bjoergen’s winning time of 25:24.9.

“Today I felt very good and strong. 10 km Classic was something I really wanted to win and capture the gold medal. That’s why I was nervous before the race today,” said Bjoergen.

With a team sprint bronze medal already in the bag, Bjornsen went into the 10km classic with optimism. “Being on the podium Sunday definitely gave me a lot of confidence,” she said. “I went in today a bit nervous because I had some more expectations. I was giving it all out there, but it was a really tough day condition-wise and making your skis work.”

American teammate Kikkan Randall finished in 26th, only 10 seconds behind Bjornsen. Known for her sprinting prowess, Randall has posted very solid distance results in these championships. She finished in 17th place in the 15km skiathlon and Saturday, and now has notched another top-30 in the 10km classic.

Rosie Brennan for the USA finished in 32nd, 2:55.4 back. After the race, Brennan said, “I don’t know if I was so much looking for a result as much as a feeling. I think I was close but not quite there [today].”

Leading the Canadian charge was Katherine Stewart-Jones in 36th, 3:09.6 off Bjoergen’s blistering pace. The Canadian women were once again clustered on the results page, with teammate Emily Nishikawa finishing one place and only 5 seconds behind Stewart-Jones in 37th place.

Dahria Beatty was 39th, another 10 seconds behind Nishikawa. Cendrine Browne rounded out the Canadian women’s team, finishing in 47th (+4:05.2). American Ida Sargeant finished 43rd (+3:55.2).

Results here.