CANMORE, Alberta (March 11, 2016) – With one stage remaining in the Ski Tour Canada, Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) continues to hold on to fifth overall in the Tour standings, after her efforts on Friday. Diggins led the U.S. team in a FIS World Cup 10k individual freestyle race, finishing fifth.
“Because of Jessie’s strong fifth place finish today, her race tomorrow will be for fifth place in the overall tour standings with (Finland’s) Krista Parmakoski,” coach Matt Whitcomb said of Saturday’s eight and final stage. “Both women are classic skiing really well so we expect an exciting race. Regardless of the outcome, we’re so proud of Jessie’s consistency this tour and already consider the Ski Tour Canada a huge success for her.”
Collectively, the U.S. women had strong results Friday with four U.S. women finishing in the top 30. Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) was the next American, finishing 17th, Caitlin Gregg (Minneapolis, MN) 19th and Chelsea Holmes (Girdwood, AK) finished 22nd, earning her first World Cup points.
Jessie Diggins leads Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk during stage seven of Ski Tour Canada Friday. (Getty Images-Trond Tandberg)
“While Sadie and Caitlin also posted top 20’s, I think they would each agree that the race of the day was Chelsea Holmes in the 22nd spot,” Whitcomb added. “Watching someone ski into the points for the first time in their career is a huge success for the U.S.”
In the women’s 10k, Norway’s Ingvild Oestberg skied her best distance race of the season as she took a convincing victory, dominating the race to finish 23 seconds ahead of teammate and Ski Tour Canada Leader Heidi Weng. It was a close battle for second as Weng edged Parmakoski by 1.5 seconds.
In the men’s 15k, Finland’s Matti Heikkinen stole first from Russia’s Evgeniy by 13.6 seconds to claim his first FIS World Cup win since he became World Champion in 2011. But the real battle was the fight for second as Evgeniy nipped Sweden’s Marcus Hellner by just 0.03 seconds.
Diggins charged out of the start gate and fought hard until the end. It was a battle for a spot on the podium, between Weng, Parmakoski, Norway’s Kari Slind and Diggins throughout the race. Although Diggins finished fifth, she was just 9.6 seconds out of second place and 8.1 seconds out of third.
Saturday’s classic pursuit will be a showdown between Diggins and Parmakoski for fifth in the overall Tour standings. After Parmakoski’s performance Friday, she crept up on Diggins in the overall standings and is now just 6.6 seconds behind her in sixth.
“It wasn't quite what I was hoping for as I paced it a little too hot from the start, but still a good day,” said Diggins. “Stage seven done and only one more race of the year, which is pretty exciting!”
Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO) led the U.S. men’s team in a 15k individual freestyle race, finishing 23rd overall. Hoffman was just 4.1 seconds out of the top 20.
The final stage of the Ski Tour Canada continues Saturday, with a 15/10k classic pursuit. The races will be streamed live, beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Live Extra.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Norway’s Heidi Weng increased her lead to 30 seconds over teammate Therese Johaug who finished sixth on Friday.
- Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov still leads the Tour overall, 32.3 seconds over Norway’s Petter Northug.
- Sadie Bjornsen remains in 11th in the overall Tour standings.
- This was Russia’s Evgeniy Belov’s first individual podium this season and Sweden’s Marcus Hellner’s second individual podium in the past two seasons.
- Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) finished 34th, Tad Elliott (Durango, CO) 42nd and Scott Patterson (Anchorage, AK) 47th.
- Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT) finished just out of the points in 31st. Katharine Ogden (Landgrove, VT) was 34th, Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT) 38th, Anne Hart (Stillwater, MN) 39th, Kaitlynn Miller (Lake Elmore, VT) 41st and Jennie Bender (Johnson, VT) 49th.
- Ski Tour Canada wraps Saturday with a 10/15k classic pursuit.
STREAMING SCHEDULE (times EST)
3:00 p.m. - Women’s 10k classic pursuit, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
4:00 p.m. - Men’s 15k classic pursuit, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
QUOTES
Jessie Diggins
It wasn't quite what I was hoping for as I paced it a little too hot from the start, but still a good day. Stage seven done and only one more race of the year, which is pretty exciting!
Matt Whitcomb
Because of Jessie’s strong fifth place finish today, her race tomorrow will be for fifth place in the overall tour standings with Krista Parmakoski. Both women are classic skiing really well so we expect an exciting race. Regardless of the outcome, we’re so proud of Jessie’s consistency this tour and already consider the Ski Tour Canada a huge success for her.
While Sadie and Caitlin also posted top 20’s, I think they would each agree that the race of the day was Chelsea Holmes in the 22nd spot. Watching someone ski into the points for the first time in their career is a huge success for the U.S. A loud congratulation goes out to Chelsea and APU.
Our service staff of 15 techs made fantastic skis. Noah Hoffman posted the 9th fastest finishing split on his way to 23rd place.
RESULTS
Men’s 15k Freestyle
Women’s 10k Freestyle
OVERALL TOUR STANDINGS (after 7 races)
Men’s Standings
Women’s Standings
