March 16, 2011 (Stockholm, Sweden) – The USA’s Kikkan Randall and Canada’s Perianne Jones made the women’s 1km Classic qualifications in 13th and 24th respectively as Petra Majdic (SLO) topped the field in 2:29.30.

Both advance to the quarter finals but Randall’s heat is a doozy as she’s in with lots of heavy hitters – including Marit Bjoergen (NOR), Justyna Kowalczyk (POL), Arianna Follis (ITA) and Bjoergen’s teammate Celine Brun-Lie along with Finland’s Anne Kylloene.

Jones won’t have it much easier facing Katerina Smutna (AUT), Anna Haag (SWE), Kertu Niskanen (FIN), Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (FIN), and Magda Genuin (ITA). Holly Brooks did not qualify.

For the men Norway’s Ola Vigan Hattestad lead the charge in 2:07:71 followed by teammate Petter Northug in second with Sweden’s Jesper Modin in third.

The USA’s Andy Newell was the top North American in 9th followed by Canada’s Alex Harvey in 15th with Devon Kershaw qualifying in 26th. The USA’s Kris Freeman (37th) and Lars Flora (46th) did not advance along with Canada’s Graham Nishikawa (39th) and Ivan Babikov (49th) .

Kershaw and Harvey drew the same 1/4 final heat with WCup overall leader Dario Cologna and other speedsters. While Newell faces a stacked deck with Northug and Brandsdal along with Italy’s Di Centa and Russians Belov and Chernousov.

Women’s Qualifications HERE.
Men’s Qualifications HERE.