March 21, 2008 (Callaghan Valley, B.C.) – USA’s Kikkan Randall had the fastest qualification time of 3:06.49 in the women’s 1.2 free sprints today at the 2008 Haywood XC Ski Nationals. Canada’s Sara Renner was second at 03.47 back with Chandra Crawford (Can) in third at 04.38 behind Randall and USA’s Liz Stephen in 4th at 08.21.

The Swedes let everyone know they were in town as Emil Joensson (Swe) won the men’s qualification in 2:58.37 with the USA’s Andrew Newell in second only 0.79 seconds back and Canada’s Stefan Kuhn in third at 04.79. Joensson’s team mate Peter Larsson qualified fourth at 06.25 seconds back with Canada’s Devon Kershaw (Ona Wa Su Club) taking fifth at 06.77 seconds.

Men

Qualifications

Women

1. Kikkan Randall (USA) 3:06.49
2. Sara Renner (Can) at 03.47
3. Chandra Crawford (Can) 04.38
4. Liz Stephen (USA) 08.21

Men

1. Emil Jonsson (Swe) 0:02:58.3
2. Andrew Newell (USA) +0.7
3. Stefan Kuhn (Can) +4.7
4. Peter Larsson (Swe) +6.2
5. Devon Kershaw (Can) +6.7