Therese Johaug of Norway took a major stride toward her first overall World Cup title, skiing away form teammate Marit Bjørgen in the World Cup Final 15 k skiathlon to build a 15 second lead for the final pursuit on Sunday. The winner of that event will take the crystal globe.
Continuing a strong week, the Canadian youth men skied to silver in the 3 x 7.5 k relay at the World Youth/Junior Championships in Presque Isle, Maine.
Norwegian Martin Johnsrud Sundby is back on top following a disappointing Olympics, winning the men's 15 k freestyle in Lahti, Finland over Sweden's Daniel Richardsson and Russia's Alexander Legkov.
It is difficult to pick a favorite in the men's Olympic sprint, but Norwegian Ola Vigen Hattestad made a strong case for that designation, winning the final pre-Games tune-up in Toblach, Italy. Teammate Eirik Brandsdal was second and German Josef Wenzl took third.
The U.S. women took advantage of a weakened field to place five skiers in the top15. Perianne Jones led Canada in a tenth.
Americans Andy Newell and Simi Hamilton were both left wanting more after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the freestyle sprint in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
Sergey Ustiugov won wire-to-wire, pacing the field in qualification and every heat to grab the as World Cup raciing continued in Nove Mesto, Czech republic. Federicao Pellegrino (ITA) was second and Alexey Petukhov took third.
Just three days ago Caitlin Gregg was winning the U.S. National Championship 20 k by a stunning three-and-a-half minutes, while husband Brian battled to second in the men's 30 k.
American Kikkan Randall showed no signs of rust, coming off a three week break from racing to win the World Cup freestyle sprint in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
The story of the day for the Americans may have been Kikkan Randall, but Sophie Caldwell quietly turned in another strong performance, earning points in her fifth consecutive World Cup sprint.
Therese Johaug became the first Norwegian to win the Tour de Ski, overtaking teammate Astrid Jacobsen on the Final Climb up Alpe Cermis for the victory in the eighth edition of the event. Heidi Weng placed third to give Norway a podium sweep.
Alex Harvey can walk away from the 2014 Tour de Ski with his head held high. After finishing fifth in the 10 k individual classic on Saturday, Harvey ranked fourth in the overall Tour standings.
The Norwegian men swept the top four spots in the penultimate stage of the 2014 Tour de Ski. Led by Petter Northug's first victory of the season, Norway moved closer to capturing the nation's first Tour title. Overall Tour leader Martin Johnsrud Sundby was second in the 10 k classic race, and Chris Jespersen was third.
Canadian Alex Harvey skied back onto the Tour de Ski podium, finishing third in the 35 k freestyle pursuit, his third podium of the seven stage event.
After breaking a pole early in the 35 k Cortina to Toblach pursuit, Canadian Ivan Babikov was still able to move up the rankings in the Tour de Ski.
Liz Stephen was the only American to crack the top-30 in the fourth stage of the Tour de Ski, placing 26th in the women's 10 k classic mass start. Noah Hoffman led the way in the men's 15 k, placing 55th.
Kazakhstan's Alexey Poltaranin used a powerful kick to claim victory in the fourth stage of the 2014 Tour de Ski, sprinting away from a surprising Hannes Dotzler of Germany.
Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk remained unbeaten in the classic technique this season, skiing to an uncontested win in the World Cup sprint in Asiago, Italy. Anne Kyllönen of Finland finished second with Norwegian Maiken Caspersen Falla in third.
Showing strong form as World Cup period I winds down, Russian Nikita Kriukov held off Kazakh Alexey Poltaranin at the line to take the win on a soft and slow course in Asiago, Italy. Gianlucca Cologna of Switzerland was third.
Four races into the 2013/2014 World Cup season and American Sadie Bjornsen already has two top 10's and the recognition that comes with it. Bjornsen placed seventh in Saturday's 10 k classic in Lillehammer, Norway, leading three U.S. women in the top 30.
