November 26, 2012 (Gällivare, Sweden) – Another milestone was achieved by the amazing US Women’s Team who were the talk of the town at the 2012/13 Viessemann FIS XC opener in Gällivare, Sweden with their stunning third place finish for a historic first-ever relay podium. This race was a thriller as Holly Brooks kicked of the start with a solid 8th place classic run tagging off to Kikkan Randall who put the team’s fashion socks to work taking over second place with incredible classic skiing panache before handing off to Liz Stephen, who skated like a banshee gaining 4s on Norway’s Martine Ek… and then the ultimate showdown saw anchor Jessie Diggins dig deep and ski her heart out to nip Marthe Kristoffersen at the line for bronze. Check out our interviews below as USST Women’s Coach, Matt Whitcomb urges more women to grab their socks and…

Matt Whitcomb – USST Women’s Coach

Our entire team put together a great race today – from the supportive energy of the men’s team, staff and non-racers to the actual legs the ladies skied. It takes a positive and supportive team to have success like this and we have that. I’m proud of this medal. It validates an incredible amount of work these ladies have logged. It’s a great accomplishment for our country.

These women are showing our younger developing women what it takes. They have all chosen skiing as their full-time profession and passion. They are proving it can be done, that short cuts don’t exist, that you can’t just wait for it to happen. Success must be hunted down. I want to believe this will encourage another 10 or 15 female racers in the U.S. to take the plunge.  We need backup. Get your socks.”