February 26, 2013 (Val di Fiemme, Italy) – The USA’s Elizabeth Stephen turned heads as she raced to the best result of her career, finishing in 5th place, in the women’s 10km FR Individual Start at the FIS Nordic World Championships in Val di Fiemme – only 8.5 seconds off of Russian Bronze medalist Yulia Tchekaleva.

Liz Stephen (USA) © Nordic Focus

“I would have been really psyched with a top ten and to actually have met the top five goal – which was definitely the far-reached one – I’m pretty ecstatic,” said Stephen at the finish. “I couldn’t have done it without the team behind me. The first person that gave me a hug was Holly [Brooks] in the finish zone. The entire team was there afterwards. I’m so lucky to be a part of something so big right now.”

Norway’s diminutive Therese Johaug charged with her characteristic quick tempo to best her teammate Marit Bjoergen and take gold winning by 10.2 seconds as Bjoergen’s technique started to falter with fatigue in the latter stages of the race.

Biathlete Miriam Goessner of Germany had an incredible day, missing the podium by only a half a second.

Other North Americans included Americans Jessie Diggins in 23rd, Holly Brooks 27th, and Kikkan Randall 30th, followed by Canadians Daria Gaiazova in 40th, Emily Nishikawa in 57th, and Brittany Webster who placed 68th.

Full results HERE.