August 21, 2015 (Orkdal, Norway) – Liz Stephen and Kikkan Randall cracked the top 10 in the third stage of Toppidrettsveka – a 15km Skiathlon at the Knyken ski center in Orkdal on Friday. Norway’s Heidi Weng took the win over teammate Terese Johaug, with Germany’s Denise Herrmann finishing third. Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) was the top American man in 24th, with Calle Halfvrsson of Sweden and Eirik Bransdal of Norway tying for the win.

Liz Stephen © USSA

Stephen, who was third in the opening stage uphill foot race, rolled to sixth— 1 minute 10.8 seconds behind Weng who won in 33 minutes, 55.9 seconds. Randall was 17 seconds behind Stephen in seventh place. World Championship medalist Caitlin Gregg (Minneapolis, MN) had a strong race, taking 11th. All three shone in the skate leg, quickly moving up in the pack. Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) had a strong classic leg, leading the Americans into the exchange, but her foot bothered her in the skate leg. She took 16th. Sophie Caldwell (Peru, VT) was 28th.

“The start was just like a World Cup: HARD from the get go,” said Stephen. “I chased and fought and clawed my way through the classic portion and felt great once I got some skate skis on my feet. I was skiing a bit with Kikkan for a time, who gave me a good push on one of the downhills to try and get me gliding a bit better – really sweet team moment, for sure.”

“The start of the race was a little unique as we were told to “take it easy” off he start line and down the first hill by staying in our start positions,” said Gregg. “Not everyone got the memo and a good number of racers charged past before the downhill even started! I learned my lesson…there is no such thing as a slow start in Norway! Even one that is supposed to be mandatory!”

Men and women race the same distance every day at Toppidrettsveka, and the race was intense on the short 2.5k loop. Newell was 1 minutes 9.7 seconds behind the leaders to take 24th place. Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO) was 27th with Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO) 33rd. Hoffman was third in the uphill race Thursday. Canada’s Devon Kershaw finished 32nd.

Stephen moved into fifth in the stage standings with her finish. Hoffman sits in seventh.

The weekend of racing highlights a two-week training camp for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team in Norway. It’s the first time the team has been invited to take part in the popular pre-season roller ski race that has attracted most of Norway’s top World Cup skiers, plus teams from Germany and Italy. The race finishes Saturday in downtown Trondheim with a 15k pursuit. Athletes are expecting a tough course with lots of hills, along with streets packed with spectators.

Men’s results here.
Women’s results here.

Overall Men here.
Overall Women here.