December 30, 2011 (Obertsdorf, Germany) – Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland eked out her second consecutive victory at Stage 2 of the Tour de Ski, just outstretching Norway’s Therese Johaug at the line in an exciting duel that saw the two double-poling head-to-head for the final 300m. Norway’s Marit Bjoergen finished in third.

The USA’s Kikkan Randall recorded her best ever classic distance result, finishing a superb 6th. Randall skied in a large chase group for most of the race hovering around 10th. But at the finish she put the hammer down and surged to make up a few places in the final kilometre as the women around her began to fade.

Randall’s 6th place is a personal best in a classic distance race – previously she placed 16th at the WCup in Kuusamo, Finland in late Nov. and then 11th at the WCup in Rogla, Slovenia in mid-December. Randall’s teammates Liz Stephen and Holly Brooks finished 29th and 56th, respectively, on the day.

Kowalczyk led out today’s 10km classic pursuit with a 5.4-second advantage over Bjoergen. But the Norwegian quickly closed the gap and the pair skied together until they were caught by a small chase group that included Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) and Johaug. An attack at 3.7km by Saarinen whittled the lead group down to four which included Kowalczyk, Bjoergen and Johaug.

Johaug made the decisive move of the race with an attack early on the last lap with only Kowalczyk able to follow her. Bjoergen and Saarinen struggled to limit the gap.

Kowalczyk and Johaug came into the stadium double-poling side-by-side, with Kowalczyk’s power just out-matching Johaug’s furious tempo for a photo-finish win at the line.

Kowalczyk maintains her hold on overall lead with Johaug and Bjoergen in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Randall sits in 6th overall.

Full results HERE.