February 17, 2010 (Whistler, BC) – The USA’s top sprinter Kikkan Randall lead the North American women in 10th while Canada’s Daria Gaiazova in 17th, and Chandra Crawford in 18th, also qualified as Norway’s Marit Bjoergen lead the field with the fastest time of 3:38:05 in the women’s Olympic 1.5km classic Sprints on Wednesday at Whistler Olympic Park. World Cup Sprint leader Petra Majdic (SLO) went down in an icy corner and may have injured her back – apparently she is upset and a protest might follow.

Full qualifications here

Results (brief)

1. Marit Bjoergen (Nor) 3:38.05
2. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (Fin) +0.77
3. Anna Olsson (Swe) +3.90
4. Magda Genuin (Ita) +4.13
5. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) +5.30

10. Kikkan Randall (USA) +6.92
17. Daria Gaiazova (Cda) +8.92
18. Chandra Crawford (Cda) +9.20
34. Sara Renner (Cda) +13.74
38. Holly Brooks (USA) +14.46
41. Perianne Jones (Cda) +16.22