Oberstdorf, Germany – The U.S. Ski Team’s Kris Freeman skied strongly to take 11th Monday as a grueling stage four of the Tour de Ski concluded with the men’s 10k classic and 10k free technique race in Oberstdorf. Freeman’s time was 49:31.3, just 11.2 seconds behind winner Matti Heikkinen of Finland.nHeikkinen strode to the win in 49:20.1, in a very close battle with Tour de Ski leader Dario Cologna of Switzerland. The Czech Republic’s Martin Jaks was third.
“Kris had a great race and is just chipping away at things,” U.S. Ski Team Head Coach Chris Grover said of the Andover, N.H. resident’s performance following the race. “He really moved up nicely and is skiing relaxed. The plan Kris and his personal coach Zachary Caldwell put together is really strong and building momentum.”
U.S. athlete Kikkan Randall, of Anchorage, Alaska, skied to 30th in the women’s 5k classic and 5k free. The women’s race was highlighted by an amazing sprint finish of Sweden’s Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla, with Haag taking it by the length of a finger at the finish in 26:59.8. Overall women’s tour leader Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland finished fifth.
Bright sunshine and hard packed snow, with a crowd estimated at 6,500 greeted the skiers Monday as the Tour arrived at its halfway point.
In overall Tour de Ski men’s standings, Cologna continued his lead in the overall general classification by 44.9 seconds to strong Canadian Devon Kershaw, while Sweden’s Marcus Hellner is third. Freeman leads U.S. men in 22nd overall, while Newell is in 58th.
In women’s overall standings Poland’s durable Kowalczyk continues to lead with Kalla second and Marianna Longa of Italy third. Randall is currently in 24th overall.
Today provides the athletes a much-needed rest and transit day, as the teams will travel to the majestic Dolomites in the South Tyrol to the venue of Toblach, Italy for stages five and six on Thursday and Friday. Stage five is a free technique sprint, where Randall and Newell will look to shine, followed by a stage six’s pursuit.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Tour de Ski
Oberstdorf, Germany – Jan. 3, 2011
Stage 4
Men’s 10k classic-10k free
1. Matti Heikkinen, Finland, 49:20.1
2. Dario Cologna, Switzerland, 49:21.1
3. Martin Jaks, Czech Republic, 49.25.0
4. Jean Marc Gaillard, France, 49:25.1
5. Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, 49:27.5
Women’s 5k classic- 5k free
1. Anna Haag, Sweden, 26:59.8
2. Charlotte Kalla, Sweden, 27:00.4
3. Marthe Kristoffersen, Norway, 27:07.0
4. Arianna Follis, Italy, 27:07.6
5. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, 27:08.5