Kowalczyk lost a lot of time in today’s pursuit race over 15 kilometers skating in Toblach. With the shorter race, it was not expected that this much should happen in the overall in the womens race, but it seems Kowalczyk is starting to get tired. The above illustration shows how the group consisting of Folla, Longa and Kalla gain time on Kowalczyk all the way. Also, Haag and Lahteemäki gain time for the last 5 km, even if they were skiing alone.

Looking at the complete field, there was a lot less grouping than among the men (see below). In addition to the Follis/Longa/Kalla group (with Majdic being in the group for parts of the race), there was a group with Johaug, Prochazkova, Kristoffersen, Roponen and a big group with Saarinen, Norgren and Randall among others.

Update: Based on an entry on her blog, Kowalczyk lost time due to bain in her lower legs today – a problem which she has had for some time when skating. Thus she should not have problems with this in the classic race on Saturday.

• Splitsbrowser – do your own analysis of the race
• Splits analysis for the mens class