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Sprinting has the most unpredictable action of any World Cup racing format. Skiers are crammed into a narrow patch of snow, leading to skis crossing and poles breaking. Wobbly legs often misfire, and mistakes ensue. Whenever a racer gets crowded out at the finish line, there is an inevitable shrug followed by the common refrain of, “that’s Sprinting.” But even in the unpredictable world of Sprinting, there are usually a few constants.

But one of those constant themes was upended when Jessie Diggins (USA) failed to qualify for the heats. For the last two years Diggins qualifying for the Sprints and choosing to race in the final heat has been about as predictable as Sprinting gets. But that constant failed to materialize as Diggins had a tough time and finished 40th in the qualifying rounds which meant she would not race in the heats. Due to her foot injury, Diggins was unable to stride during the race and was forced to double pole and herringbone the entire course, creating a difficult on course situation for her resulting in her not qualifying. But she was able to pick up several valuable points for still finishing in the top 50.
Another constant has been the American team usually fielding three or four women in the heats. But that also didn’t happen when Alayna Sonnesyn (USA) finished 38th and also failed to qualify. That meant that all of the hopes for team USA were riding on Rosie Brennan (USA) who qualified 22nd. Julia Kern’s (USA) usual presence in the heats wasn’t a factor as she wasn’t racing this weekend as she was still recovering from the Tour de Ski.

Brennan had a hard time in the heats and couldn’t advance out of the first round and ended up 26th on the day. So, today the usually reliable American Sprint team fell victim to the unpredictable nature of Sprinting.

After the racing had concluded some of the predictability of Sprinting returned as Kristine Stavaas Skistad (NOR) asserted herself throughout the day to defeat all of her Swedish rivals. Maja Dahlqvist (SWE) was second with Jonna Sundling (SWE) coming in third. After the race, the always reserved Skistad said, she was “very happy and that the race had been very hard.”
Yesterday’s Distance races had been significantly affected by the absence of many top Norwegians who had elected to stay home and race in their national championships. But today’s women’s field wouldn’t be as dramatically affected as Norway’s top Sprinter, Skistad was back after her prolonged absence from abdominal surgery. Skistad raced on Thursday in the Norwegian championships and won the Freestyle Sprint competition. She appeared to be fully back in form, but racing again only two days after the Norwegian championships— with travel in between— was going to be a major test. Before her surgery Skistad had been about as consistent as things get in Sprinting. Skistad was joined on the Norwegian squad by Elena Rise Johnsen—who is little known to North American audiences—but finished third in the Norwegian Sprint championships. Also joining her was Ane Appelkvist Stenseth who finished seventh in the Norwegian nationals Sprint competition. Missing today was Julie Myhre (NOR) who going into the day was second in the world cup Sprint competition.

The Swedish women have also been one of the constants in Sprinting for some time. But they competed today at less than full strength as two time former Sprint Overall champion Linn Svahn was absent in order to recover from the Tour de Ski and prepare for the world championships. She would be replaced by Moa Hansson, whose previous best performance in a Sprint world cup was 22nd.
Another recent Sprint constant is the presence of Jasmi Joensuu (FIN) who has proven to be a continual Sprint threat this year and currently leads the Overall Sprint competition. But Joensuu was unable to find the podium today and finished fourth.
Kern is a usually reliable presence for the Americans in the Sprint heats but needed more time off after the Tour. She posted on social media, “my body wasn’t quite ready to race in France this weekend, but a little extra time at home is feeling like a special treat right now!!! Lots of motivation to train smart for the bigger goals ahead and soak up that extra recharge time at home!”
Canadian Katherine Weaver had an excellent day finishing 16th. The other Canadian finishers were Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt in 29th, and Alison Mackie 31st.
Les Rousses Women’s Classic Sprints-Quarter Finals
In the first heat Skistad appeared to show that she was completely back as she and Jonna Sundling double poled away from the other contenders with Sundling nipping Skistad at the finish. But as she often does, Skistad let up at the finish unconcerned about the victory and more focused on saving energy and moving through the heats.
The second heat featured Joensuu and Emma Ribom (SWE). About halfway through Joensuu and Ribom established themselves at the front with Ribom gaining ground on the more technical sections. Joensuu went into an extra deep tuck on the downhills which helped her gain ground as Ribom took the win with Joensuu finishing second.
In heat three Brennan faced Laura Gimmler (GER) and Stenseth who went into the early lead with Gimmler right behind her. About halfway through Brennan was in the back of the pack and didn’t seem to have the ski speed to keep pace with the leaders. Coming into the finish Gimmler and Stenseth were side by side as they eased up to cross the finish line with Stenseth taking the win. Brennan finished sixth and would not advance. It was not only the end of her day, but the end of the day for team USA.
In the fourth heat Nadine Faehndrich (SUI) was matched against Maerta Rosenberg (SWE) and Katherine Weaver (CAN). Rosenberg went out to a blistering start and put a large gap on Faehndrich. But Faehndrich used her veteran skills to slowly but surely close the gap and took the lead as they entered the stadium. Weaver’s pace was too much for her to sustain as Coletta Rydzek (GER) was able to pull ahead at the finish. Rosenberg would advance as a lucky loser. Weaver finished fourth and would not advance.
In the fifth heat Johanna Hagstroem (SWE) and Dahlqvist battled against Victoria Carl (GER). They were joined by hometown favorite Leonie Besson (FRA) who finished 29th in the qualifying round and gave the French fans a brief thrill. But her hopes were dashed early as she broke a pole at the start and would never be able to be a factor. Ingrid BergeneAabrekk (NOR) went to the lead early, but about half way through, Hagstroem—who was the top qualifier—picked up the pace and went to the front along with Dahlqvist. At the finish, no one could match the fire power of the Swedes as Dahlqvist and Hagstroem finished first and second.
Semi Finals

The first semi final was a battle of Sprinting all-stars. Sundling, Ribom, Skistad, and Joensuu were all in the first heat. Skistad went to lead early with Ribom going with her. Sundling charged up the first steep hill to take the lead as she tried to put some distance on Skistad who would have a double poling advantage coming into the finish. But Skistad showed off amazing skis as she glided up and over a small hill toward the end of the race to take the lead back. Sundling pulled ahead at the finish as Skistad dramatically let off the accelerator about 20 yards before the finish. Joensuu made a late charge but couldn’t catch the leaders. Nonetheless, she advanced as a lucky loser along with Ribom.
The second heat featured Faehndrich, Dahlqvist, Hagstroem, and Gimmler. Hagstroem and Gimmler took the early lead in what was a very controlled pace. The race remained very tactical as no skier was anxious to go into the lead. Coming into the stadium all six skiers were together with Hagstroem going to the front and she began to press the pace along with Faehndrich. But it was Dahlqvist who moved to the lead with Gimmler joining her. It was a photo-finish between Dahlqvist and Gimmler—with both skiers being awarded the same time—and no skiers advanced from this heat as a lucky loser.
Finals
In the finals, Skistad would have the chance to show that she was completely back as she faced a formidable field of Sundling, Joensuu, Ribom, Dahlqvist and Gimmler. It was the repeat of a familiar theme from last year’s Sprint competitions as three Swedes battled the lone Norwegian: Skistad.

Skistad immediately went to the front and sent the message early that this was not going to be a tactical race. Sundling was able to close the gap up the first hill and looked like she might have an advantage over Skistad. But Skistad looked controlled and calm as she stalked Sundling, while Joensuu was hanging on in third place. Skistad repeated her excellent glide over a small uphill to slingshot into the lead and began pulling away. She was able to double pole to victory as Dahlqvist snuck up from behind to take second, while Sundling held on for third. The effort clearly showed on Skistad who remained collapsed onto the snow for some time after the race, which is not her habit. Nonetheless, the race was a statement for the rest of the women, that the rivalry between Skistad and Sweden was back.
Les Rousses Classic Sprint Results
