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Today marked the end of the journey on the long and hilly road that is the Tour de Ski. All that remained is one of the more daunting challenges in cross-country ski racing; the fabled climb up Alpe Cermis. Over a week ago 67 energetic bright-eyed women lined up to start the Tour. Now only 31 drained skiers remained to start the race, ready to charge up a mountain, and then take a much needed rest.
Leading the 10 kilometer Mass Start Freestyle race up the mountain today would be Tour leader Therese Johaug (NOR). Going into the race she led Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR) by 22 seconds and had a 1:47 advantage over Jessie Diggins (USA). In a FIS (International Ski Federation) interview before the Tour began, Johaug described the climb as “perfectly suited” for her. She speaks from experience. Johaug has had the fastest time in the uphill race an incomprehensible eight times. So, it’s not bragging when she says the race is “perfect” for her.
The goal for the other two women currently on the podium would be to hold onto their second and third place positions. Diggins would start the race 1:25 behind Slind, so the odds of her catching Slind were very slim. Diggins’ biggest concern would be Kerttu Niskanen (FIN) who was 40 seconds behind her. Niskanen has finished in the top 10 on the climb several times, and a 40 second lead, while substantial, can evaporate quickly if things blow up on the mountain, and you are being chased by a proven performer in the uphill race. Diggins would have to carefully pace herself to make sure things didn’t get out of hand going up the mountain.
Probably the most compelling pre-race story was the upcoming inter-generational battle between the titans of mountain climbing Johaug and Sophia Laukli (USA). Last year Laukli won the climb and did so in what appeared to be an effortless fashion. If the Alpe Cermis is perfect for Johaug it is also right in Laukli’s wheelhouse. The American spends her summers racing in the world trail running championships so a 35 minute climb up a mountain is really just a warm up for her. Laukli was starting with bib 25 and would have to expend some energy to work to the front of the pack, but with such a small field it was unlikely to take a lot out of her.
But age triumphed over youth as Johaug crushed the field winning Alpe Cermis by over 25 seconds and in doing so became a four time Tour de Ski winner. Laukli was never a factor. Slind did more than she needed to do, finishing second and securing her second place Overall finish. Diggins also did exactly what she needed to do. She finished sixth, 54 seconds behind Johaug, but over a second ahead of Niskanen to secure her place on the podium.
“The last stage was fantastic,” Johaug said after the race was over. “I love the climb, so I can’t wait for it. It’s so fun to be here again after four years. Four times winning feels really good. It was not my goal this season because I shouldn’t be here.” Johaug was non-committal when asked when she would rejoin world cup racing. “I will be home for a while. I will go the World Championships.” It was a response which left a lot of room for interpretation as she didn’t commit to rejoining world cup racing before the World Championships.
Diggins was relieved to have the Tour behind her. “I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a happier third place in your life. It was an epic Tour, in ways I didn’t ask for, but I got a chance to see how tough I could be. I’m definitely excited for some rest now. It was great to fight out there today. I’m really proud of how this Tour went.”
It was a rough day for Laukli who never really established a rhythm and ended up 15th. The other American finisher was Julia Kern who finished 19th.
The top Canadian finisher was Katherine Stewart-Jones who finished 14th. Liliane Gagnon was 26th.
The Women’s 10-kilometer Alpe Cermis Freestyle Climb
There was no surprise as Johaug led the field out of the stadium, as she was followed by three time Alpe Cermis winner Heidi Weng (NOR). Weng has had a challenging Tour, so a good showing today would be a measure of redemption for her. Niskanen and Krista Parmakoski (FIN) closely followed the two Norwegians.
As the skiers reached the 2.7 kilometer mark there was already a small gap forming with a lead group of Weng, Johaug, Diggins, Slind, and Ebba Andersson (SWE) stringing out the field into a single file line. Laukli was still toward the back of the pack, 17 seconds behind the leaders. It was clear that Johaug and Weng were determined to race hard from the start and punish the rest of the field. But Diggins was right behind the two Norwegians not letting them establish a gap on her.
As the field began to start the climb Johaug was out front with Weng and Diggins right behind her and Slind hanging on to Diggins. Entering the Alpine climb, Johaug continued a relentless V-2 technique. At this point, Laukli began to make a move going into eighth place, and she now had the leaders in her sight. But it would turn out to be the most the American had to offer in today’s climb.
As the serious climbing began Johaug, Weng, and Andersson formed a trio that put a gap on Diggins who was leading the chase group. Laukli seemed to be mired in a group in the back and had dropped back to 11th. The pace seemed to be too much for her to maintain and early on in the race the narrative shifted away from the Johaug-Laukli battle to whether anyone could keep up with Johaug.
As the race course hit the 28 percent grade, Johaug put the pedal to the floor and pulled away from the group. But the rest of the podium contenders were doing what they needed to do. Niskanen was not mounting a threat to Diggins and Slind was still hanging with the chase group which was now led by Andersson.
Johaug was relentless as she assaulted the mountain at a tempo which no one else could match. At the steepest section of the climb Johaug hammered away and enlarged the gap on the field. She had already beaten down the field and the outcome was not in doubt. But the race for the other podium spots continued. Nora Sanness (NOR) was now leading the chase group in front of Weng, Slind, Andersson and Diggins. Niskanen was thrown off the back of the group and was unable to cut into Diggins’ Overall advantage over her.
With half a kilometer to go Johaug was skiing relaxed and looked as fresh as she did at the bottom of the mountain. Diggins began to fade off the chase group, but was still in front of Niskanen as the mountain began to flatten out.
Coming into the finish Johaug was out of sight of the chase group. She glided over the finish alone and had enough time and energy to grab a Norwegian flag as she skied across the finish line.
Slind crossed the finish second with Weng right behind her. It was mission accomplished for Slind who actually gained time on Diggins in the Overall standings. Diggins finished sixth, 54 seconds behind Johaug, but a second ahead of Niskanen which meant that Diggins had also done what she needed to do to stay on the Overall podium.
It was a disappointing day for Laukli when the match with Johaug never materialized as Laukli slid into 15th place.
The punishing Alpe Cermis climb ended up not affecting the Overall standings, but still served as an entertaining race to finish off the Tour. Now the racers will enjoy some well-deserved rest.
Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR), Therese Johaug (NOR), Heidi Weng (NOR), (l-r) (Photo: NordicFocus)
