Unlike in the other distance races this winter Therese Johaug did not set the time to beat with an early bib, in Otepää the big favorite rolled up the field from the back with the very last start number. Already at the first split time after 1.1 kilometers, she showed after a furious start with seven seconds ahead, that the one-month World Cup break by skipping the Tour de Ski did not bother her. After five kilometers, the Norwegian was already 22 seconds ahead, to the finish she extended her lead to 48 seconds and almost closed the gap to the one minute previously started Nepryaeva. "I was in a very good shape today, I'm in a good shape after my break from training, the tracks here are very difficult, but it was also my conditions today," said the Norwegian. Clearly the second-fastest today was Ebba Andersson, who was eight seconds faster than third-placed Natalia Nepryaeva. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (NOR, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) finished fifth, followed by Charlotte Kalla (SWE, Fischer skis and bindings), who in the end lost a few seconds to the direct rivals. Anastasia Sedova (RUS, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) was eighth ahead of Katharina Hennig (GER, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) and Anna Zherebyateva (RUS, Fischer skis, bindings and boots).
In the 15-kilometer race, Didrik Tønseth took third place behind winner Iivo Niskanen (FIN) and was narrowly ahead of his direct competitors. Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) finished fourth. Sprinter Ristomatti Hakola (FIN, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) was the ninth and won his best ever distance result after having benefited from Niskanens leadership in the second half of the race. Andrey Larkov (RUS, Fischer skis, bindings and boots) completed the top ten.
