March 12, 2016 (Canmore, AB) – Norway’s Therese Johaug executed an incredible performance in the final Stage 8 women’s 10km CL pursuit at Ski Tour Canada, as she caught and passed teammate Heidi Weng to secure the Ski Tour Canada women’s title. Johaug also took home the overall World Cup series crown and distance title as the Tour wrapped up in Canmore with the historic awarding of the fabled Crystal Globes outside of Europe for the first time.

American Jessie Diggins held her own with a 5th-place finish as the Norwegians swarmed the final Tour podium again with Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg finishing in 3rd behind Weng. Diggins was ecstatic nailing the first classic podium of her career with third-fastest time of the day. It was particularly sweet because like so many skiers, who have been grinding through the season, she woke up feeling sick this morning.

Accoring to Diggins she panicked t first, but it was just “…something out of my hands, that I couldn’t worry about.” Deciding that it was just minor congestion, she opted to race and stay calm. “I knew Krista [Parkmakoski] would catch me, so I focussed on being relaxed and steady in the first part of the race.”

Finland’s Parmakoski turned out to be quite the rabbit with surprising performance to clinch the fasted time of the day, a mere 0.6 seconds ahead of Johaug. Diggins fought hard against her Finnish rival but she not hang on through to the finish coming in 18 seconds back. “I just thought, ski with her. We would share the lead we’d try to make up time together. But I couldn’t quite hang on.” Diggins was also the top North American finishing 8th overall in the World Cup ranking.

Fellow American Sadie Bjornsen finished the Tour in 11th which was a disappointment for the Alaskan skier. Prior to the Canmore races, she was in a top-ten position at the Tour. “I was having troubles with ski speed today…it was wicked hard,” shared Bjornsen who was ranked 11th overall in the final World Cup standings.

Emily Nishikawa led the Canadian women’s team and finished the Tour in 37th overall. “The first lap and a half were really good, as I was up there with the leaders. But then I blew up and it was just survival mode to the finish.”

Although it was a long and tough week of racing, Nishikawa noted that the Canadian Tour was a great experience. “Its just been so great racing here at home. So much support. It’s so loud out, its really fun racing here. I couldn’t be happier,” she added.

The USA’s Rosie Brennan also had a strong Tour digging deep to finish 24th. She followed by Chelsea Holmes in 31st, Caitlin Gregg in 33rd, Ida Sargent in 34th, Katharine Ogden in 36th, Kaitlynn Miller in 41st, Anne Hart in 43rd, and Jennie Bender in 48th.

Ogden had her best World Cup race finishing the 10km CL pursuit with the 15th fastest time. “I learnt to trust my fitness. I was feeling pretty tired but I know I can pull out a good races. It was amazing,” commented Ogden.

Following Nishikawa was Cendrine Browne the next best Canadian in 40th, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt was 44th, Annika Hicks took 47th, and Maya Macisaac-Jones was 49th.

The 8-race, 12-day Ski Tour Canada was battle from the start to the finish for the women. Bjornsen pointed out that, although the Tour de Ski finishes with the gruelling Alpe di Cermis climb, having Ski Tour of Canada conclude with four races in Canmore was even more challenging, both mentally and physically. Oestberg, who finished both Tours in 3rd place, agreed, “Today was really tough I had to fight from the start to the end.”

After a long and exciting week for Weng, who held on the Tour leader’s bib until the last day, settled for second overall. “It was very hard and now I am very tired. Good to be finished!”

All participants agreed that the Ski Tour Canada was a great success. “The organizers have done a great job. It’s been a success and I would love to come back,” said Oestberg.

Results here.
Ski Tour Canada standings here.
World Cup standings here.