Patterson Ticks off First Three Tour de Ski Races

Written by GRP Biathlete Raleigh Goessling

Caitlin Patterson and the rest of the US Ski Team are three races into the FIS Tour de Ski. The Tour de France style event crams 8 races into 10 days across multiple venues and countries. 

Patterson is the only GRP skier who was selected to race at this event. So far Caitlin has contested a freestyle sprint race, a mass start classic race and a freestyle pursuit. 

The kickoff event of the Tour was a freestyle sprint, held on New Year’s Day, on a fast technical track in Val Müstair, Switzerland. Caitlin finished in 57th place. Since Patterson did not finish in the top 30, she did not advance to the head to head sprint heats. 

The Tour wasted no time and January 2nd brought a 10km mass start race in the classic style. Val Müstair, Switzerland also played host to this race. Caitlin Patterson finished 5th among the US Women on her way to 38th place.   

The final race hosted in Val Müstair was a 10km freestyle pursuit race. In this competition, racers started in order of their overall Tour de Ski ranking and race for the finish line. Patterson started the day in 40th and improved to 35th during the 10km event. Caitlin is currently the 5th US women on the tour, which includes Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan sitting first and second in the overall Tour de Ski standings. 

The Tour de Ski now takes a day off from racing for athletes to travel to Toblach, Italy for two days of competition beginning January 5th. 

For full results and race recaps visit https://www.fis-ski.com/en/cross-country.