Kowalczyk takes Tour de Ski

14th January 2012

Justyna Kowalczyk successfully completed her mission to win a third successive Tour de Ski title last Sunday, defeating arch rival, Norway’s Marit Bjoegen, in the process. “It was one of the toughest races in my career. I think I only managed to stay upright at the end thanks to sheer willpower and some strong ski poles,” an exhausted Kowalczyk told reporters. “The final kilometres were exhausting. I was so tired, I wasn’t able to wonder whether I was surprised or not at beating Marit,” she continued.

The tactic in the final race had been to control the race, and the plan worked to perfection. “The idea was to avoid attacks at all costs. We decided I would lead the race out and then go at my own pace. We reckoned my pace would be faster than that which Marit was able to impose. We didn’t want it to come down to a sprint finish, because I wouldn’t have been able to hold out.”