February 20, 2017 (Otepää, Estonia) – The USA’s Sadie Bjornsen in 19th led three Americans into the points as Marit Bjørgen (NOR) proved that she still has what it takes to dominate a world cup field, besting Swede Charlotte Kalla by 26.5 seconds in the women’s 10km CL individual start. Fellow Norwegian Heidi Weng took third, 57.2 seconds back.

Slushy snow and a steady drizzle greeted the 60 women competing in the 10km classic individual start World Cup today in Otepää, Estonia.

Bjornsen’s game plan going into the race was to catch a ride with Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk, who started 30 seconds behind her. She often thrives in challenging classic conditions.. “I had a good start, and was expecting Justyna to catch me at some point during the race, because I know she is in really good form,” said Bjornsen. “That was my game plan going into the race. When she caught me I was determine to stay with her, and finish the race together.

“Unfortunately, I had quite slow skis today, so wasn’t able to hold on as I was really hoping to.” But it wasn’t all bad, “I feel confident heading into Championships, because I felt my form was there today. The result didn’t show it, but that is classic skiing. It was a challenging day out there, but had some wonderful moments.”

Rosie Brennan was the next North American finisher, ending up 24th at 2:37.8 behind. Brennan was also able to capitalize on Kowalczyk’s fast skiing – she started her first lap just as Kowalczyk was coming through for her second. “It was fantastic to start my race and realize Kowalczyk had just lapped through,” shared Brennan. “I settled in behind her and enjoyed the ride and actually pulled away from her in the last kilometer of that lap.” Brennan is looking forward to her second World Championships skiing for the US team.

Liz Stephen rounded out the North Americans in the points, finishing 29th at 2:53.8 off the pace. Stephen was positive about the race, saying, “The conditions today were wet and a bit sloppy, but honestly, for the women’s race the tracks held up fairly well, so no complaints on my end! I like klister skiing when it’s slushy and soft like this, so I like days like today.”

Also for the US, Kikkan Randall finished just 10 seconds out of the points in 34th. Randall had a strong race in Saturday’s sprint, and is building her form for a good showing at the Lahti Worlds.

Emily Nishikawa was the top Canadian finishing in 40th at 3:39.0 behind. Ida Sargeant (USA) finished 42nd at 3:46.1 back, followed closely followed by Canadian Dahria Beatty in 45th. Beatty started in bib #1, and plowed the slushy tracks through her first lap. Chelsea Holmes (USA) was 50th (+4:47.5), Cendrine Browne (CAN) was 54th (+5:09.2), and Katherine Stewart-Jones finished 57th (+5:37.1).

Results here.