May 21, 2008 (Anchorage, Alaska) – In 2007/2008 Alaska Pacific University’s Nordic Ski Center truly had a stellar racing season. In December 2007, Kikkan Randall became the first U.S. woman to win a gold medal in a World Cup in front of 30,000 fans in Rybinsk, Russia. Randall showed a new level of skill and athleticism as she out sprinted Norwegian Astrid Jabobsen, the defending World Sprint Champion, for the win.

The United States Ski and Snowboarding Association (USSA) recently named Kikkan as Skier of the Year. Here is what the USSA had to say about her nomination:

“Kikkan Randall won this season’s Women’s World Cup Sprint competition in Russia. This is the first US World Cup victory since the early 1980’s; moreover, the first women’s victory since the 1970’s and the first ever US victory since the inception of the official World Cup. Besides being a career defining moment for Kikkan, her victory represented a true milestone and turning point for US Cross-Country Skiing. Kikkan went on to high placements in many other international events as well as winning both the US and Canadian Championships, and is the icon of North American nordic skiing today. Kikkan was 9th and 10th (with teammate Wendy Wagner) in the 2006 Torino Olympic Games for the top US finishes in her sport; she has reached the World Cup podium in recent seasons besides being a dominating figure in US skiing.”

Looking forward to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, Randall will attempt to make history again as she takes aim at an Olympic medal.

The Team

The rest of the program had a fantastic year of performances as well. As a team, APUNSC won the nationally contested Super Tour, which spans the entire season starting in November and concluding with the National Distance Championships in Fairbanks at the end of March. In doing so, the team trumped both club and elite teams from across the country.

In addition, the USSA named APUNSC as the 2008 Cross Country Club of the Year for distinction in “providing direction to young athletes through high-level competition programs resulting in athletic success.”

The Cross Country Sport Committee nomination stated the following; “Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center has operated as a regional Olympic training center for cross-country skiers for a decade. The program is attracting a broad and motivated talent pool and is developing some of the best elite skiers in the country including many of our recent Olympians and National medalists, a Europa Cup Winner, U23 World top 10 finish and above all, World Cup winner, Kikkan Randall. These results are solidifying their position as the top US Ski Club today.” Bill Marolt –President USSA

Overall APUNSC athletes achieved success at the international, national, regional and local levels, from winning a World Cup to taking both the Besh and Anchorage Cups.

For further distinction APUNSC Director and Head Coach Erik Flora was awarded by the USSA with both Domestic Coach of the Year and Development Coach of the Year after only a year and a half on the job.

“Erik Flora is the Head Coach at the APU Nordic Ski Center and is responsible for the training and development of many of the nation’s top performers in Nordic skiing today, including recent Olympians, National Medalists and World Cup Champion, Kikkan Randall (APU/USST). Besides the very visible top performers, the program under Flora’s leadership offers outstanding participation and improvement opportunities for a broad spectrum of skiers.” USSA Nomination

The bar has been raised. Yet, the staff and athletes of APUNSC are excited and ready for the challenge of improving upon this years success in the seasons to come!