Katherine Stewart-Jones and Antoine Cyr Finish Mid Field at Third Stage of Tour de Ski
OBERSTDORF, GER.—Katherine Stewart-Jones squeaked into the top-30 to lead nine Canadians at the third stage of the nine-race Tour de Ski on Tuesday in Germany.
The 27-year-old Stewart-Jones clocked a time of 26:41.3 for 29th place in the women’s 10-kilometre individual start classic-ski race. Antoine Cyr (Gatineau, Que.) led the Canadian men in 32nd spot at 22:52.2.
“It was a tough day. For sure we are battling a bit of fatigue and a couple of health issues as well as nailing the kick wax,” said Robin McKeever, national team coach, Nordiq Canada. “The skis were better for the women race and it was an okay day overall. This is a tough sport, and we are learning all of the time. We will rest up, focus on recovery and get ready for tomorrow.”
Sweden’s Frida Karlsson won the women’s race with a time of 24:53.3. Norway’s Johannes Klaebo remained unbeaten through the first three men’s races of the Tour, winning with a time of 21:38.5.
Canadian Women’s Results:
- Katherine Stewart-Jones (Chelsea, Que.) 26:41.3
- Liliane Gagnon (Quebec City) 27:43.5
- Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse) 27:49.7
Canadian Men’s Results:
- Antoine Cyr (Gatineau, Que.) 22:52.2
- Olivier Léveillé (Sherbrooke, Que.) 23:10.4
- Russell Kennedy (Canmore, Alta.) 23:34.9
- Graham Ritchie (Parry Sound, Ont.) 23:58.5
- Sam Hendry (Canmore, Alta.) 24:36.9
- Remi Drolet (Rossland, B.C.) 24:37.9
Frida Karlsson and Johannes Klaebo are the women’s and men’s overall leaders heading into the midway point of the seven race Tour de Ski.
Antoine Cyr sits in 20th place overall, while Stewart-Jones is in 25th after the opening three stages.
The fourth stage, a 20-kilometre skate-ski pursuit race, is set for Wednesday in Oberstdorf, Germany.
Modeled after the Tour de France in cycling, the 17th annual Tour de Ski is the ultimate test of fitness to determine the king and queen of cross-country skiing. The seven-race Tour through three countries in Central Europe tests the world’s best cross-country skiers in all race formats, culminating with a 425-metre climb to the top of Alpe Cermis in Val di Fiemme, Italy on January 8.