FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Kuusamo, Finland: 10 k/ 15 k Classic
Sunday in Kuusamo brought closure to the World Cup’s opening weekend. The women contested a 10-kilometer interval start classic race. In her first World Cup race after serving a suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, Norway’s Therese Johaug won in a time of 28:02.5 minutes.
By the time check at 3.3 k, Johaug had begun to control the pace and the race. At the finish, she bested Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla, who placed second, by 22.5 seconds. Kalla’s teammate, Ebba Andersson placed third (+32.8).
The U.S. placed three women in the top-30, with Sadie Bjornsen of the U.S. Ski Team (USST) leading the team in eighth place, 1:10.5 minutes behind Johaug. Jessie Diggins, also of the USST, placed 14th (+1:38.5), Rosie Brennan (APU) was 23rd (+2:02.8).
Sophie Caldwell (USST) finished 43rd (+2:52.3), Caitlin Patterson (CGRP) 46th, (+2:56.8), Ida Sargent (USST) 56th (+3:31.1), and Kaitlynn Miller (CGRP) 61st (+3:55.7).
No other North American women were entered in the race.