March 10, 2016 (Canmore, AB) – The unstoppable Norwegian train featured Heidi Weng besting Therese Johaug at the line in the women’s 15km Skiathlon (7.5K CL+7.5K FR) on Stage 6 of Ski Tour Canada in Canmore, with teammate Astrid Unrenholdt Jacobsen completing yet another Norge podium sweep.

American Jessie Diggins fought hard in the chase pack to claim a solid 11th while her teammate Sadie Bjornsen out-lunged German skier Nicole Fessel to take 16th place by a whisker of 0.3 seconds. The USA’s Rosie Brennan was also in the points placing 25th while Emily Nishikawa was the top Canadian finisher in 37th.

“I don’t care so much about my placing…it’s more about your time at the finish. It’s a Tour so it’s about overall time,” commented Diggins. “I wasn’t quite feeling it today – I think the long sprint day really took it out of me. But after tomorrow’s day off I’ll be ready to go for the 10k skate.” Still the Afton, MN skier’s effort saw her reclaim fifth in the overall Ski Tour Canada standings.

Team U.S.A.s youngest member, Katharine Ogden, 18, posted an impressive 32nd just shy of scoring her first World Cup points. Ogden finished among five of her teammates, Cailtin Gregg (31st) , Chelsea Holmes (33rd), Anne Hart (34th) and Ida Sargent (35th). Other Americans included Kaitlynn Miller in 46th and Jennie Bender 54th. Liz Stephen and Sophie Caldwell dropped out of the Tour due to illness.

Canada’s Cendrine Brown, 22, also delivered a respectable result edging closer to the elite group of the top-30 with a career-best 38th. Dahria Beatty finished 41st followed by Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt in 42nd, Katherine Stewart-Jones was 48th with Annika Hicks 49th, Maya Macisaac-Jone was 51st, Jennifer Jackson was 52nd, Sophie Carrier-Laforte was 55th and Alannah Maclean did not finish.

“I’m starting to suffer from the fatigue. Racing at altitude on this course is one of the toughest things to do,” said Nishikawa. “To be the top Canadian, and lead this group of incredible young women is special. The course is amazing. I love racing here in Canmore, but my body is definitely starting to feel the fatigue. I was quite tired today.”

Weng continues to lead overall as the World Cup caravan enjoys another rest day before the final two stages wrap up the Tour and the season. “I tried to keep the pace with Therese and to ski away from the chasing group. We worked together and it was a great fight between me and Therese,” said Weng.

But Johaug remains optimistic she can still win the overall. “Heidi was very strong and I probably did not have the best day. The course was tough. Heidi and I worked together, we had a only 10 seconds on the chasing group. I am only 3 seconds behind her in the Ski Tour. Friday’s competition will be really important. It is still open for the victory in the Ski Tour Canada,” said the overall World Cup leader

Results here.
Overall standings here.