Alexey Poltoranin of Kazakhstan won the five-kilometre men's event at the Tour de Ski, in 12:37.9, 8.0 ahead of overall leader Petter Northug Jr. of Norway, and 8.2 ahead of two-time defending champion Dario Cologna of Switzerland.

Northug holds a 16.1-second lead over of Cologna with two stages to go.

Toronto's Len Valjas was the top Canadian, finishing in 11th place in 13:02.9.

"It was another great day and again a bit unexpected for me," said Valjas, who competed in a 30-kilometre distance race on Thursday. "I was pretty destroyed after yesterday's race, but woke up this morning and felt great. I'm in great shape right now and recovering quick."

Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., placed 20th, Ivan Babikov, of Canmore, Alta., was 31st and Alex Harvey of St-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Que., was 42nd.

Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland won her third stage on Friday and extended her overall lead as she closes in on a fourth consecutive title.

Kowalczyk won the three-kilometre classical race in 10 minutes 8.1 seconds. Krista Lahteenmaki of Finland finished second, 16.5 seconds behind, and Astrid Jacobsen of Norway was third.

Kowalczyk increased her overall lead from 23.3 seconds to 1:00.03 seconds ahead of Charlotte Kalla of Sweden, who finished ninth in the stage.