OBERHOF, Germany (AP) — Overall World Cup leader Marit Bjoergen mastered difficult conditions to lead a 1-2 Norwegian finish Saturday in the 3-kilometer freestyle prologue for the Tour de Ski, part of the cross-country World Cup.
Bjoergen covered the distance in 6 minutes, 34.4 minutes to leave teammate Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen 1.9 seconds behind. Sylwia Jaskowiec of Poland was seven seconds behind in third.
Four-time Tour winner Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland withdrew after the format for the seven-stage competition was changed because of mild and rainy weather that led to a lack of snow.
Denise Herrmann of Germany was fourth, ahead of Jessica Diggins of the United states.
A men’s prologue was set for later Saturday. The Tour ends in Italy on Jan. 5.
