March 16, 2012 (Falun, Sweden) – Team USA lead by Kikkan Randall tackled the Mördarbacken climb – or “murderbacken” as the athletes call it – in Falun, Sweden contesting the 2.5km FR Prologue with three Yanks in the top 15 as Randall claimed a personal best 7th, Jessie Diggins rocketed to a stellar 8th and Liz Stephen rocked in 13th.

Only Norway had more skiers in the top 15 lead by winner Marit Bjoergen as she tightens her grip on the overall World Cup crown over her closest rival Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) who could only mustre 4th on the day. Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla measured up to claim 2nd and is now only 3 points behind Randall in the overall race, while Norway’s Marthe Kristoffersen took the bronze. Bjoergen hasn’t quite clinched the overall globe but the windows of opportunity for Kowalczyk are closing fast

“I didn’t feel so spunky in training yesterday or in the warm-up before the race,” Randall told Trax post-race. “But I was happy to have good energy during the race. I had good spring in my legs and felt like the power was there. Our techs really nailed the skis today!”

We asked Randall if the killer Morderbakken gets easier over time and here’s what she said – listen up…

“The Morderbakken is a tough hill but when you’re feeling good it’s actually pretty fun to ski.  The pitch changes several times on the way up and I especially like the steep pitch near the top. You’ve got to keep the tempo up and just dig down into the muscles and it’s a cool feeling when you can do it.”

It was signature Diggins back on form after being sick and rebuilding. The Afton, MN skier was 20th at the 1.2km mark and had a phenomenal second half to land 8th overall on her first ascent of the famous Mördarbacken climb.

“It felt really good. The skis were really fast. The hill is really hard to keep your tempo up it just kind of pitches up. I feel like maybe there were a few places where I could have tucked a little lower, or just not rocked back on my heels,” said Diggins. “But I feel like I gave it everything I had. It was really cool to try because I’ve always heard about the “murderbacken” [Mördarbacken] and how’s it’s the demon hill. So it was really cool to just be here and give it a try and race against such amazing people.”

Stephen showed us how much she loves steep on Alpe Cermis on the final stage at the Tour de Ski where she was 8th. Today was more vintage Stephen…”I was really psyched for today because this is a big hill and if any prologue course is going to be good for me, it’s one with a hill like this.

“I wanted to go out and go as hard as I possibly could. It’s one lap so you can’t blow up and if you do it’s like you’re going to go just as slow as if you didn’t blow up. I just wanted to go really hard and see if I could get a top-10 or top-15 today. Doing a few hill climbs this year has helped. I think I skied well. I felt good and I still have some energy in the tank for the next couple of days.”

Canada’s Daria Gaiazova from Banff got on the scoreboard as well leading the Canucks with a top-30 effort finishing 27th. Chandra Crawford, of Torino Olympic fame placed 45th while Alysson Marshall from Salmon Arm, B.C., finished 49th.

When asked if she was satisfied with her race Randall was quick with her answer. “I’m pumped with 7th place today, and especially all three of us American ladies in the top 13. I’m satisfied with my race, I had good feelings out there, so I know my shape is in a good place, and I fought hard when the effort got tough.  The times were super tight and it was fun to be in the top ten today.”

The challenge from Kalla just got hotter but Randall has a strong spent a lot of time training in Sweden and feels at home which helps as she has a strong following there as well.

“Charlotte is definitely making a strong effort and she seems to be feeding off the home crowd’s energy. So I have my work cut out for me!  I also feel pretty comfortable here in Sweden and feel like the crowd is really behind me too. The atmosphere on the course today was really fun. Lots of fans cheering loudly all the way up the hill.

Results HERE.
Results detail HERE.
WCup Overall standings HERE.