US women steady in Tour de Ski

OBERSDORF, Germany – The seven-stage Tour de Ski entered its second day Sunday with the U.S. Ski Team’s women holding strong. Sadie Bjornsen and Liz Stephen finished 14th and 15th respectively, just two seconds from each other and 50 seconds from the podium in a 10k classic pursuit. Norwegians Petter Northug and Marit Bjorgen took the wins and the Tour lead.

“Things were out of this world great until about 5k. Conditions were icy, so I managed to wear my skis a bit too much on the downhills and began to struggle to find the bomber kick for the second half,” Bjornsen explained. “Fortunately, my skis were very fast, so I was managing to catch back up to the group after the slippery uphills. It was so much fun though to just feel strong and to find myself passing Justyna (Kowalczyk) at one point.”

Conditions have been fast and abrasive at the opening events in Obersdorf, the product of little snow and rain coming in early this week.

“The conditions were definitely tricky, as it poured rain and was super windy from noon yesterday until about 4 this morning so the organizers had a lot of work to do putting the course back together again after such a tough night. Banners were blown away, TV camera stands blown down and cameras broken beyond repair, not to mention bows and debris in the trail. It’s amazing that the race conditions were as good as they were today. Again, my skis were amazing and I was able to ski the way I wanted to,” said Stephen.

“Our wax techs have been killing it,” Stephen explained after her particularly strong classic leg. “I’m definitely happy with my result. It’s a long Tour still ahead and a lot can happen, but I am really happy with my first two stages for sure.”

Ski service through the week of racing is the “race behind the race” explained head coach Chris Grover.

“Part of the fun of the Tour de Ski is how tiring the event is not only for athletes, but also for the staff. As coaches and technicians, we’ll be working 16-hour days for nine days straight, and we will be exhausted by the end of the Tour.  Staying healthy through this Tour is the race behind the race.  The fun comes in the fact that there is no down-time for anyone during the Tour, and in watching how the athletes respond to the daily racing load.”

Racing continues on Tuesday with a freestyle sprint in Val Mustair, Switzerland.

TOUR DE SKI SCHEDULE

Saturday, Jan. 3 – Oberstdorf, Germany
Men’s 4k freestyle prologue
Women’s 3k freestyle prologue

Sunday, Jan. 4 – Oberstdorf, Germany
Men’s 15k classic pursuit
Women’s 10k classic pursuit

Tuesday, Jan. 6 – Val Mustair, Switzerland
Men’s and women’s freestyle sprint

Wednesday, Jan. 7 – Toblach, Italy
Men’s 10k classic
Women’s 5 k classic

Thursday, Jan. 8 – Toblach, Italy

Men’s 35k freestyle pursuit
Women’s 15k freestyle pursuit

Saturday, Jan. 10 – Val di Fiemme, Italy
Men’s 15k classic mass start
Women’s 10k classic mass start

Sunday, Jan. 11 – Val di Fiemme, Italy
Men’s and women’s 9k freestyle pursuit (hill climb)

Release courtesy of USSA