March 04, 2016 (Quebec City, QC) – On a day where Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR) was crowned the overall Sprint World Cup champion, 22-year-old Stina Nilsson from Swede showed that there may soon be a changing of the guard in women’s sprinting. Nilsson led from start to finish in every one of her heats and really showed that she was the strongest on the day. In the final, she held off a hard-charging Caspersen Falla and the new tour leader, Heidi Weng.

Women's sprint FR podium ©

Both Caspersen Falla and Weng (3rd) of Norway were quick to praise the strength of Nilsson today. “Stina was really strong today and really deserved this victory,” said Falla.

The North Americans were led home by the USA’s Sadie Bjornsen who dazzled by winning the qualifier as she just missed out on the final to finish 8th on the day. In her semifinal Bjornsen struggled to jockey herself into the right position and finished her heat in 4th.

Fastest qualifier Sadie Bjornsen wearing bib #1 © Nordic Focus

Frustrated after such a good start Bjornsen said, “It was a great day, I was feeling awesome but things didn’t work out on the hill. Hanna [Falk] made a lane where there wasn’t one, so unfortunately I had to move around her. I was feeling great but…sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t”

Following Bjornsen into the semi-finals was Sophie Caldwell who ended the day in 10th position.This was especially impressive as she woke up with a slight cold and wasn’t even sure she was going to race.

USA's Sophie Caldwell (bib #22) © Nordic Focus

However, after qualifying 22nd, the strength of her family and Team SMS cheering from the sidelines pushed Caldwell into the semi-finals and a top-10 position. “That was so cool, it’s pretty rare that we’re at a race where the Americans get more cheers than the Scandinavians,” mused Caldwell after her semi-final.

The USA’s Jessie Diggins, who qualified fourth, had an unfortunate crash in her quarter final and did not make it through to the semis. After a misstep on the course’s big downhill, Diggins fought hard to catch back up but the narrow course did not allow much passing and she had to settle for 3rd in her heat.

FIS world cup cross-country, individual sprintJessie Diggins © Nordic Focus, Gatineau (CAN)

“It was frustrating for me as I was planning to go for the win today. I’m feeling good and it was a good course for me – but I’m ready to go cool down now and prepare for tomorrow’s race,” Diggins explained following the race.

Her teammate Ida Sargent, who was cheered on by many members of her family, had a solid race, hanging tough in one of the fastest heats of the day and just missing out on a lucky loser spot for the final. Look out for Sargent in the climb-heavy Classic sprint in Canmore next week.

Just missing the heats was Rosie Brennan (USA), who finished oh-so-close missing out by 0.7s to place 33rd. Brennan will be looking forward to making up some time in tomorrow’s 10k pursuit.

Fellow American Caitlin Gregg, who finished 38th,was very optimistic following the race, “This was my best skate sprint ever, my skis were awesome and the long course and slow snow really suited me well.”

On the other hand, US skier Annie Hart, in 47th, prefers shorter sprints but was equally happy with her effort. She was also quick to mention how tight the results were. “I was only 4.5s out and that’s 17 places, it’s really different on the World Cup, here a lunge or a misstep can make a huge difference”.

Maya Macisaac-Jones © Reese Brown

Maya MacIsaac-Jones lead the Canadians home again with a solid performance in 34th position, less than one second from the heats. The 20-year-old Canuck was the lone Canadian to qualify for the Gatineau heats that kicked off Ski Tour Canada. She was followed closely by Dahria Beatty in 39th and and Olivia Bouffard Nesbitt in 51st.

MacIsaac-Jones told SkiTrax, “I would have loved to qualify again, but I think to be able to come consistent like that [near the top 30] is something I am really happy with.”

Two up-and-coming Canadians, Beatty and Katherine Stewart-Jones (59th) both mentioned that the course was in amazing shape and that their bodies have been feeling better and better every day. Things seem to be looking optimistic for the Canadian women going forward in Ski Tour Canada.

Action resumes tomorrow with a pursuit start race where Heidi Weng will lead the pack of women around Quebec City for 10km. Top American Jessie Diggins will start 1:27 back, and top Canadian Emily Nishikawa is 6:23 back.

Results here.