July 14, 2009 – Kikkan Randall (USA) is the representative of the female cross-country skiers on the FIS Athletes’ Commission. The 26-year-old native from Alaska started skiing the day after her 1st birthday. She began competitive skiing as an alpine racer before switching to cross-country to pursue her Olympic dreams. Kikkan got her first taste of international ski racing at the 2000 World Juniors and has since been to five FIS World Ski Championships and two Olympic Games. The highlights of her ski career so far have been winning a World Cup in Rybinsk (RUS) in December 2007 and taking the silver medal in the sprint at the 2009 World Championships in Liberec. Off the snow, she enjoys working on the computer and spending time with her husband (also a cross-country ski racer) and their two kittens, Lulu and Sophie.

What does it mean to you to have been elected as the cross-country representative on the Athletes Commission?
Kikkan Randall: I am excited to have the opportunity to work closely with FIS and with other athletes, to make the voices of the Athletes heard, and to help promote and improve the sport of skiing. This is a unique opportunity for athletes from different disciplines to work together and I am excited to represent cross-country skiing within the group.

What are your goals with the Athletes Commission?
KR: As a representative on the Athlete Commission I have three main goals. My first goal is to work within the greater Athlete Commission to represent the concerns of athletes from all disciplines and all countries, and to work toward solutions that will protect athletes and promote our winter sports. My second goal is to work closely with the Cross-Country Committee to address issues and discuss ideas specific to cross-country athletes. My third goal is to help athletes understand how FIS operates and to help foster an open pathway for communication between FIS and the athletes.

What was your first impression from the Athletes Commission meeting and the Cross-Country Committee Meeting in Drubrovnik?
KR: My impressions of the meetings in Dubrovnik were very positive. I was impressed by the level of enthusiasm within the Athlete Commission. All the representatives seemed to be in agreement on the key issues and there was a good energy within the group as if we’d already worked together. I was also impressed with the openness of FIS and the Cross-Country Committee and their interest in having athletes involved.

Beside your work in the Athletes Commission what are you doing this summer to be prepared for the Olympic season?
KR: This will be a very exciting season coming up! To prepare, I will be training several times at a glacier training facility near my home and will be visiting the Olympic venue in Whistler one more time in September to view the courses. There doesn’t need to be any magic in the training, just more hard work!