Sargent contests Tour de Ski, first World Cups of 2015

Ida Sargent in the Tour de Ski Classic Pursuit (Photo Marcel Hilger)

Last Updated: 13.Jan.2015

The Tour de Ski is cross country skiing’s answer to cycling’s Tour de France: 7 races over 9 days in 3 countries where skiers compete to take the overall title at the end of the tour. This year’s tour started in Oberstdorf, Germany, made a brief stop in Val Mustair, Switzerland, and then wrapped up in Toblach and Val di Fiemme, Italy with a brutal hill climb as the final and deciding stage.

Like most of the US Ski Team, Ida Sargent planned to compete in only the first few stages of the Tour and then pull out to save up for races later in the season. Her best result was in the 10k classic pursuit, where she was able to move up to 40th place from her starting position of 58th. She also finished 58th in the 3k skate prologue, 56th in the skate sprint qualifier, and 46th in the 5k classic individual in Toblach. She is now training and recovering in Ramsau, Austria for a short time before traveling to Otepää, Estonia for a classic sprint and freestyle team sprint next weekend.

Only one US Ski Team member, Liz Stephen, raced the entire tour, and she had impressive results to show for it. Liz, a Vermonter who grew up in Montpelier, moved up to 6th place before the final hill climb and then put down the 4th fastest time to finish 5th overall. This is a personal best for Liz, and also the highest an American has ever placed in the Tour de Ski since its inception. Other top US results were Sadie Bjornsen’s 7th and 8th place in the skate prologue and 5k classic, respectively, and Sophie Caldwell’s 7th place in the freestyle sprint.
Check out full results below, and remember that race video is always available at Crosscountryski.us!

3k Skate Prologue
10k Classic Pursuit
Skate Sprint Qualifier
5k Classic Individual