Natalya Nepryayeva won the fifth stage of the Tour de Ski circuit

Russian skier Natalya Nepryayeva won the fifth stage of the Tour de Ski circuit after being the fastest in the mass start of the 10km classic in Italy’s winter resort Val di Fiemme. She is on her way to becoming the first Russian woman to win the Tour de Ski.

The 26-year-old Natalya Nepryayeva, who was second in the Tour de Ski circuit in 2019 and 2020, overcame the track in 29:51.3 minutes. She attacked on the final ascent to lead the small group of leaders and win.

Her victory is number 100 for Russian athletes in individual starts for the World Cup and 5th overall in her career.

Heidi Weng (Norway) was second in 3.7 seconds and Krista Parmakoski (Finland) was third in 4.8 seconds.

In the ranking for the “Tour de Ski”, Natalya Nepryayeva continues to lead with a total time of 1:23.25. Second in 1.12 minutes is Ebba Andersson from Sweden, and third place is taken by the Kerttu Niskanen (Finland) in 1.19 minutes.

Last year’s winner of the Tour de Ski, Jessie Diggins (USA), is only sixth in 1.42 minutes after the leader.

Swedish skier Frida Karlsson is first in the World Cup standings with 483 points, ahead of Jessie Diggins with 478 and compatriot Maja Dahlqvist with 464 points.

The Tour de Ski ends tomorrow in Val di Fiemme.