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The elders lead the way
After Jessie Diggins’ two victories, the Norwegian cross-country skiers found terrain to their liking this afternoon, with this 20km, individual start, from Toblach.
A skating event designed for Therese Johaug, obviously the big favorite, who intended to make the powder speak to return to place in the general classification of the Tour de Ski.
The cross-country skiing legend gets off to a good start and will gain momentum throughout the race, before finishing strong. Johaug then crossed the line with the best time and 17 seconds ahead of an astonishing Kerttu Niskanen.
Everyone starts talking about her 15th stage success on the Tour, a new record, but wrongly because a few minutes later a certain Astrid Oyre Slind, author of an incredible end of the race, passes in front.
Victorious in the 20km classic in Davos, before Christmas, the 36-year-old Norwegian does it again and almost to everyone’s surprise pockets this 20km skating in Toblach.
Astrid Oyre Slind, who benefited from the help of a small group in the last kilometers, beat Therese Johaug by 3.3sec to clinch the second World Cup victory of her career.
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Jessie Diggins still leading
Victorious in the first two stages, the American star took 6th place in this 20km, 36sec behind Slind. A performance sufficient to maintain the lead in the Tour de Ski with a 22sec margin over Niskanen, 32sec over Slind and 41sec over Johaug.
The pursuit planned for Wednesday, January 1 could well result in a change of leader this time.
Katherine Stewart Jones, a 29-year-old Canadian cross-country skier, produced a huge surprise and shattered her best career performance, with a 4th place in this 20km, at the same time as the excellent German Victoria Carl.
Heidi Weng disappoints a little by finishing 7th, ahead of the Swede Moa Ilar, her compatriot Kristine Fosnaes and the American Sophia Laukli. We also note the nice 17th place of the Swiss Marina Kealin.
Regarding the French women, the result sheet is once again difficult to read with Melissa Gal 35th at 2min38, Léonie Perry 36th, Lena Quintin 44th and Julie Pierrel 54th out of 57 cross-country skiers at the start.
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Full rankings HERE
World Cup rankings HERE
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