Toblach, Italy – Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) took back the red Tour de Ski leader’s bib with a 11.6 second victory over Aino Kaisa Saarinen (FIN) in the 5km classic individual start. Petra Majdic (SLO) was 3rd, 14.8 seconds behind Kowalczyk, and is second in the overall standings.
Kowalczyk, a strong classic skier, and even better climber, had plenty of speed on the 5km course, a distance only contested on the World CUp circuit in the relay. She started fast, and maintained her pace, holding a 7 second lead at the 2.2 km mark.
“It was a great race today for me,” said Kowalczyk. “I did not have any special strategy for today. I only to wanted to go fast and have a good race. 5 km classic is my favorite distance and technique so it was a good day for me.”
She now holds a 14.1 second lead over Majdic in the overall standings.
“I have had some troubles with my leg,” Majdic told the press. “We are trying to heal it as fast as possible, but with this tough program it is not easy. But it is getting better.
“It was really fast today. All of us went full throttle from the start. Justyna was born for 5km, and as I do not run many relays I am little out of pace in the 5 km distance so it was not an easy race for me.”