Björgen is the “Queen” of Toblach

In the final 15-kilometer pursuit race with a handicap start in the free cross-country skiing technique, Marit Björgen prevailed in 39.01,1 minutes and relegated her competitor in the fight for overall victory, the Pole Justyna Kowalczyk, to second place by two seconds. Therese Johaug reached the finish line in third place. After the three loops around the Nordic Arena, the Norwegian was 3.16,9:XNUMX minutes behind the leading duo.

Kowalczyk, who started the race with a lead of four seconds, was overtaken by Marit Björgen after just a few meters. As has been the case since the beginning of the Tour de Ski 2011/12, the duo then fought a thrilling duel on the three loops around the Nordic Arena.

Behind her, third-placed Therese Johaug ran a lonely race, as there was a huge gap between her and the two leaders on one side, and fourth-placed Krista Lahtenmaaki (Finland) on the other. The 23-year-old was careful to maintain the lead over her own pursuers and not to allow the gap to the duo Kowalczyk/Björgen to become too large.

At the last split at kilometer 11,8, 31-year-old Björgen was exactly one second ahead of her soon-to-be 29-year-old competitor from Poland. The Scandinavian then extended this narrow lead to two seconds in the final meters until she reached the finish.

In the overall ranking, Björgen was credited with another five seconds, which is why she is seven seconds ahead of Kowalczyk and 3.26,9:XNUMX minutes ahead of her compatriot Johaug before the final two stages in Fiemme Valley. The duel between the two best cross-country skiers in the world for the overall women's Tour de Ski victory will continue in Trentino, while Johaug wants to keep third place.

Debora Agreiter from Val Badia was able to gain a few places in the overall ranking. The 20-year-old from Stern started the race in 45th place and finished the seventh Tour de Ski stage in 37th position (10.42,2). A total of 50 athletes reached the finish. The best “Azzurra” in the field is Virginia De Martin Topranin, who was able to gain five positions and is now in 20th place (+7.43,3). Elisa Brocard made the even bigger jump and improved from 35th place to 26th place (+8.18,7).

Miss Italia in Dobbiaco A prominent onlooker on today's third and final day of competition at the Tour de Ski in Toblach was the reigning Miss Italia Stefania Bivone. They, but also the other VIPs, sponsors and onlookers were well catered for thanks to the successful collaboration between the organizing committee and the hotel management school at BBZ Bruneck. Whether with a Pustertal potato soup, braised beef cheeks, fried veal shank or other South Tyrolean specialties: the culinary delights were not neglected in the Alta Pusteria. Tomorrow, Friday, the Tour de Ski will have a rest day before the most important stage race in the world moves to the Fiemme Valley. The athletes, officials and spectators will have fond memories of the three well-organized stages in Dobbiaco.

“I would like to thank all sponsors, patrons and friends once again. “The biggest thanks, however, go to the hundreds of helpers and employees who made the Tour de Ski in Dobbiaco a top event that, after three years, has already become an integral part of the cross-country skiing World Cup circuit,” said OC boss Herbert Santer in conclusion.

Results Tour de Ski Toblach (January 5, 2012)

15 km women, freestyle 1. Marit Bjorgen (NOR) 39.01,1 2. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) +2,0 3. Therese Johauh (NOR) +3.16,9 4. Krista Latheenmaki (FIN) +4.42,2 5. Kikkan Randall (USA) +4.58,3 6. Marthe Kristoffersen (NOR) +4.58,7 7. Charlotte Kalla (SWE) +4.58,8 8. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen (NOR) +5.10,8 9.Karin Zeller (GER) +5.10,9 10. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR) +5.29,9

21. Virgina De Martin Topranin (ITA) +7.28,3 26. Elisa Brocard (ITA) +8.03,7 37. Debora Agreiter (ITA) +10.27,2 abandoned: Ilaria Debertolis (ITA)

Overall ranking Tour de Ski after seven of the nine stages

1. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) 1:52.24,1 2. Marit Bjoergen (NOR) +7,0 3. Therese Johauh (NOR) +3.26,9 4. Krista Latheenmaki (FIN) +4.57,2 5. Kikkan Randall (USA) +5.13,3 6. Marthe Kristoffersen (NOR) +5.13,7 7. Charlotte Kalla (SWE) +5.13,8 8. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen (NOR) +5.25,8 9.Karin Zeller (GER) +5.25,9 10. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR) +5.44,9

21. Virgina De Martin Topranin (ITA) +7.43,3 26. Elisa Brocard (ITA) +8.18,7 37. Debora Agreiter (ITA) +10.42,2

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Björgen is the “Queen” of Toblach

The three women's Tour de Ski stages in Dobbiaco only had one winner this year: Marit Björgen. The Norwegian also took the lead in the overall ranking with her fourth victory in a row in the most important stage race in the world and her third success in Alta Pusteria.

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