Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR), 1st Rank:

“The race was a little bit as expected. It felt more or less like a mass start. We could have gone faster. I’m satisfied with winning for sure but I wish I had a bit more seconds. The conditions are very good when you see the conditions in overall. The spectators were cheering for us – it was really amazing. It’s in the middle of the week, people are probably at work, but still are here cheering for us which is really, really nice. So it was a lot of fun racing out here and a good atmosphere. The next three races in Italy will be tough races. We’ll rest tomorrow and then we’ll see how things feel on Friday.”

Sindre Bjoernestad Skar (NOR), 2nd Rank:

I like the tracks here. It´s a cool place to ski, cool uphills and downhil"ls. I think it´s too bad we are not going here next year. For the day after tomorrow I want to be on the podium again. I hope to be as fast as possible.*

Ferderico Pellegrino (ITA), 3rd Rank:

"I did as always and then I really had fast skies. And I have been clever in the beginning of the race. When I was in front with the best group, I tried to stay in the front. I was waiting for the distance guys starting to push, but they didn’t and in the final Burgstall when I saw ten red suits in front I said, ‘OK, here we are again’. I did my best job. I showed the best Pellegrino as always this year in pursuit races by tactics. I was in the right place in the right moment. Today, Klaebo again was the best not only about tactics. He is one of the best, almost the best cross country skier ever and I’m really proud of being able to compete with him and sometimes, not a lot, but sometimes, to beat him. I think today and yesterday, even more yesterday, they did a great job about the snow conditions. Two days ago there were 15 degrees. The rising temperature is not so good for the climate. And I think I we can´t wait too long to start to act. I start to think about that by myself, I started to think more about that from the moment when I knew I would be a father. Now I´m! And I think more about the future not about the next race or next competition, but I think a little bit more what will be our planet in 20 years. I´m not scared, because challenges for me never scare me, but I´ve started to think how can I improve this situation. For sure the future will be on the toplist of what will I do. Maybe it doesn´t matter how big but we have to start to take care. We can do something, we as single persons, but even more as organizers. The Tour de Ski is a good place but it isn´t the best place in the world to be now. I have a two week old son at home growing every day more and more. I watch him via facetime, but it´s not the same. So I can´t wait to be at home on Sunday."

Frida Karlsson (SWE), 1st Rank: 

"Yes, it was really fun today. I felt good. It feels great to be the new leader of the Tour de Ski!!! I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. For the rest of the Tour I'm really taking it one step at a time and just doing the best I can."

Anne Kjersti Kalvaa (SWE), 3nd Rank:

"I’m really satisfied with the race today, it’s fun to be on the podium and it was a tight race there in the end. It’s really fun to have the audience back here in Oberstdorf. They were making a lot of noise, so it’s fun to have people around watching us even though it’s pouring out here today, so that’s really good. I really like to be here in Oberstdorf. I think it’s fun courses. Even though the conditions were really bad today, they make really good conditions in the tracks. So it’s always good to ski here and have fun with the people as well. So I like it here."

Jessie Diggins (USA), 40th Rank:  

"For the first time in ages there were spectators along the course again. I think that was really cool. There were many spectactors. There was a lot of American fans out there. That´s very special. Really greatful for people to come out in this weather and still cheer and have smiles and energy, that were really special. So, I have to say a big thank you to all the fans, that was very cool."

Johannes Hösflot Klaebo (NOR), 1st Rank:  

„It was incredible, a really tough race, but I managed to cope with these conditions in the best possible way. A big thank you to the spectators who cheered us all on here. It was a good atmosphere. Of course it's a very good start into the new year, that's almost complete now let's see what else I can do, what opportunities there are for me, and hopefully another win here.“

Simen Hegstad Krueger (NOR), 2nd Rank:

"It was not a perfect race today, but a really good race for me. It´s actually my first time on a podium in classic. It´s a milestone for me. I´m really happy to able to do this today. The tracks were really, really good. It was 15 degrees yesterday and today it´s rainy. But the tracks were very good and it was pretty cool condition for most of the field today as well, so they have done a good job. Now we go back to the hotel and rest to be ready for tomorrow. It will be a tough race for sure."

Didrik Toenseth (NOR), 3rd Rank:

"I made a good race and I’m really impressed by the organisers to do this kind of track and create those good conditions in this weather and circumstances. I’m really impressed - one of the best conditions in Oberstdorf the last years. I think it was quite easy actually. The salting was done really well. I think for the women’s race later today the conditions will be quite well – so a good job. I expect a hard race. Fast conditions, six times around this loop – it’s gonna be rough." 

Frida Karlsson (SWE), 1st Rank:

“I’m very satisfied with the race today, it was optimal for me. I like the tracks here in Oberstdorf, it’s a cosy town. I’ve been here in summer and winter and I always feel good here. In the sprint in two days, I know that I can go good in classic sprint, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Krista Parmakoski (FIN), 2nd Rank:

“I’m satisfied with the race today, it was a very good race. Normally, I hope that here in Oberstdorf there is some snow, but now I have 2 good races here,  so I like it. The tracks here are quite tactical, so it’s nice to compete here. We’ll go to Italy by car tomorrow. So it’s important to get a good rest, enough food. I hope I can get good races there and good fighting in the overall standings.”