Nilsson grabs maiden win in Oberstdorf thriller

In one of the closest ladies' mass start in recent years, the Tour de Ski Skiathlon competition in Germany saw the top ten athletes separated by just 12 seconds.

And it was Nilsson who emerged triumphant with a big push on the final climb crucial in eventually beating America's Diggins by just 0.2 seconds.

Norway's Heidi Weng completed the podium, 1.5 seconds back, after edging out compatriot Maiken Caspersen Falla.

Nilsson's win sees her move into the overall lead for the second time this Tour after winning the stage 1 sprint competition in Val Mustair, Switzerland.

She now leads Weng by four seconds and Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg by 12.4 seconds ahead of Wednesday's 10km pursuit.

She said: "I always liked skiathlon. It was a perfect day for me. My shape was great, everything was perfect. "I knew if I wanted to be on the podium I had to be in the front. I felt Diggins pushing very hard. I thought I had more power than Jessie before the finish."