Rybinsk, Russia – World Cup rookie Jessie Diggins continued to set the pace with strong U.S. Cross Country Ski Team performances in Russia for the third day on Sunday, finishing 12th in a 15k skiathlon in Rybinsk leading three Americans into the points.

Kikkan Randall, of Anchorage, Alaska, was 25th and Vermont’s Liz Stephen 26th as Norway’s Therese Johaug won over Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk in the mixed classic and freestyle event, while Russia dominated the men’s 30k led by Maxim Vylegzhanin.

“Yesterday definitely took a toll on my body, but I was still excited to hammer out a race and see what I could do,” said Diggons, of Afton, Minn. “I definitely went through a few phases of feeling super tired, then much better after a little recovery on the flat section, then super smashed again. Sometimes I just had to put my head down and fight to keep up with the pack I was with, other times I’d be feeling good enough to bridge a gap to the next group.”

The skiathlon mixes a 7.5k classic leg followed by a “pit stop” equipment change then a 7.5k freestyle leg. Randall held onto her fourth position in the FIS World Cup overall standings but now has only a 21-point margin over Charlotte Kalla of Sweden, who finished just off Sunday’s podium in fourth place.

“I was feeling OK, but not 100% out there,” Randall admitted. “I tried to hang with the opening pace and stayed up in the top ten for most of the classic leg, but couldn’t quite find the pop I’ve had earlier this season. I had some good moments and then some rough moments in the skate portion. I still have some recovering to do. I think I may have underestimated the effect that stomach flu had on my energy stores.”

The World Cup now heads for Nove Mesto, Czech Republic for a distance race and relay.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Cross Country World Cup
Rybinsk, Russia – Feb. 5, 2012
Skiathlon

Women’s 7.5+7.5 km:

Men’s 15+15 km: