March 11, 2016 (Canmore, AB) – Norway and Mashus teamed up on the penultimate Stage 7 at Ski Tour Canada as Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg claimed her first victory at the inaugural Tour winning the women’s 10km Individual Skate in Canmore. Once again the U.S.A’s Jessie Diggins lead the North Americans with a strong 5th-place finish.

Tour Leader Heidi Weng (NOR) and Finland’s Krista Parmakoski completed the all-Madshus podium today as Parmakoski broke thru the Norwegian stronghold. Emily Nishikawa was top Canadian finisher in 35th.

Although the racers had a rest day yesterday, the cumulative effects of a long season of racing were in full display. Despite her top result Diggins was unimpressed with her finish retaining her overall 5th position in the overall Tour rankings.

“Not as good as I was hoping. You just don’t know during the Tour – you just have to get out there and do the best that you can,” said Diggins. “Stage seven is done and only one more race of the year, which is pretty exciting!”

Fellow American Sadie Bjornsen was in the points today as well with a 17th-place finish, closely followed by teammate Cailtin Gregg in 19th. This was Gregg’s best world cup result of the season, “I started out conservatively which doesn’t usually happen for me. I met up with the girl 30 seconds ahead and we worked together.”

Meanhile World Cup U.S. newbie, Chelsea Holmes, posted her best result of the Tour with a solid 22nd place flagged by US Women’s coach, Matt Whitcomb, as turning point performance for Holmes.

“While Sadie and Caitlin also posted top 20’s, I think they would each agree that the race of the day was Chelsea Holmes in the 22nd spot,” said Whitcomb.  “Watching someone ski into the points for the first time in their career is a huge success for the U.S.”

U.S. Teammates Rosie Brennan and Katharine Ogden were just shy of a top 30 today in 31st and 34th respectively.

Canada’s Nishikawa has burnt a few matches during the Tour as well. “I skied as well as I could and just focused on technique,” said the Whitehorse talent. “It was pretty good considering I am quite tired.”

Her teammate, Dahria Beatty in 40th, was also happy with her performance today. “It was a really tough race but it was really fun. Conditions were perfect. I tried to start smooth and find a rhythm and once I found that rhythm start picking it up.”

Other Canadians finished further back: Bouffard-Nesbitt was 42nd, Cendrine Browne placed 44th, Maya Macissac-Jones was 46th, Annika Hicks finished 48th, Sophie Carrier-Laforte was 52nd and Jennifer Jackson crossed the line in 53rd.

“I thought the 10km skate was my weakest distance and now suddenly I’m the winner by 20 seconds,” marvelled Oestberg. “Everything was perfect today. The skis, my fitness, and my technique.” She currently sits 3rd overall in the Tour Standings.

Teammate Weng battled fatigue but finished strong. “I started slowly and wanted to speed up. I got tired in the second lap. I really happy I picked up seconds on Therese [Johaug] to build up my lead in the Tour.” Later, she added, “I’m tired. But not too tired for tomorrow.”

The final stage of the Ski Tour Canada will be a battle for the crown and the huge prize purse of 100,000 CHF. Johaug, who finished 40 seconds off the lead today in 6th position, will have to fight to win the overall Tour, starting at 30 seconds behind Weng.

Another showdown is between Diggins and Parmakoski for fifth in the overall at the Tour. After Parmakoski’s performance in the 10km FR, she crept up on Diggins in the overall standings and is now just 6.6 seconds behind her in sixth.

Results here.
Overall standings here.