November 27, 2011 (Kuusamo, FIN) – Norway’s Marit Bjoergen stormed to victory taking home the overall World Cup mini-tour title in Kuusamo on Sunday, finishing second in the final 10km classic pursuit behind compatriot Therese Johaug, with Vibeke Skofterud landing on the podium in third for a Norwegian sweep.

The USA’s Kikkan Randall solidified her position within the elite of women’s cross-country skiing, placing 16th in the final race to claim 6th overall, just behind Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland.

Bjoergen is now four-for-five in individual World Cup races this season, and following back-to-back weekends of racing has pocketed 64,750 Swiss Francs ($70,600 US) in prize money for her efforts.

The USA’s Kikkan Randall battled hard in today’s pursuit, starting ahead of Kowalczyk, but couldn’t quite hold off the determined Polish star. “It was hard,” Randall told SkiTrax by phone after the race, “I was kind of skiing in no-man’s land, starting between Johaug and Kowalczyk. Kowalczyk caught me on the first lap and I hung with her for about a kilometre, but she was carrying a little more momentum on the flats and got a bit of a gap on me.”

“I also knew there was a group chasing from behind so I just had to keep fighting to stay in front, and luckily I crossed the line before they caught me,” she added.

Randall’s results in Kuusamo definitely give her confidence going forward, particularly for the Tour de Ski, in which she finished 21st overall last year. “This gives me good confidence. It’s fun to know that I can be solidly in the top 10. Obviously my fitness is in a good place now and I think I could get stronger as I continue to race so the Tour de Ski is going to be something to look forward to knowing that this mini-tour went well.”

Randall wasn’t the only American woman to achieve something of a breakthrough this weekend. Holly Brooks came off a disappointing 70th in the sprint race on Friday to put together two solid distance races, finishing 17th on Saturday and 22nd in the pursuit, climbing into 23rd overall for the tour.

“I’m really satisfied with the result and this entire weekend has been an absolute blast. It’s nice to finish on a high note after being disappointed with my sprint result,” she told SkiTrax by email. “I think that the mini tours suit me well because overall, I’m a fairly well-rounded skier,” she continued.

Other North American women completing the Kuusamo mini-tour today included the USA’s Liz Stephen (35th), Ida Sargent (38th), and Sadie Bjornsen (59th). Racing for Canada today were Chandra Crawford (54th), Perianne Jones (57th) and Alysson Marshall (69th). Dasha Gaiazova did not start this morning.

Women’s 10km Pursuit results HERE.
Women’s Mini-Tour results HERE.
Women’s WCup Overall HERE.