February 21, 2016 (Lahti, FIN) – The final World Cup race in Lahti was greeted by tough conditions as Sadie Bjornsen led the U.S. team with a 15th-place finish in the women’s 15km Skiathlon (7.5kC + 7.5kF) on Sunday with teammate Jessie Diggins close behind in 17th and Caitlin Patterson in the points again in 29th. No Canadians competed.

Sadie Bjornsen © Richard Narum

Therese Johaug dominated the race by more than one minute ahead of teammate Heidi Weng to claim her 15th World Cup victory this season. Fellow Norge, Ingvild Oestberg, finished third. Only Marit Bjoergen has won more races in one season and she has done it twice winning 17 times in the 2011/12 season and 15 times last season.

Therese Johaug (NOR) © Nordic Focus

“I felt really good today, but didn’t feel like I was able to ski to my full potential, but of course I am always satisfied with a top 15,” said Bjornsen. “Today was also another challenging day – that new distance course is incredibly hard and demanding to your legs. With the slow conditions, things didn’t break up enough in the classic leg to allow for “true classic skiing”.

Jessie Diggins © Hansi Johnson

Bjornsen and Diggins worked together in the grueling conditions and tough course, to finish in the top 20 only 25.3 seconds out of the top 10. It was deep winter conditions for the skiers as heavy, wet snow fell throughout the race. Adding the challenge were the windy conditions, making it a battle for the athletes.

W start © Nordic Focus

“With the slow conditions, things didn’t break up enough in the classic leg to allow for ‘true classic skiing’ for me,” added Bjornsen. “I felt like I was constantly fighting for a place on the trail to ski, and then every downhill into the next uphill, we would all slam into each other… and the same problem would start. I felt really good today though, so again, that is encouraging. It just didn’t quite work out as it could have… but some days you will just have that.”

Caitlin Patterson (blue) © Nordic Focus

“I am really looking forward to the Tour de Canada. I am stoked to go back and have a little rest at my friends house in Vermont… and then complete my final push! We are going to be some tired puppies by the end,” she concluded.

Final podium © Nordic Focus

Norway was a mighty force in today’s race, taking six of the top seven spot, with Finn Riitta Liisa Roponen spoiling the party, coming in fifth place. Despite the Norwegian dominance, the home nation could be happy with the results as they places three skiers in the top ten.

The skiathlon in Lahti concludes the European World Cup races. The next competitions continue with the Tour de Canada March 1-12.

Results here.