December 08, 2012 (Quebec City, QC) – The individual sprint Qualifications got underway as a light snowfall greeted fans and skiers while Kikkan Randall lead a strong contingent of five US skiers to the heats in the women’s 1.6km FR individual sprint as she placed third. Joining her in the heat are Jessie Diggins, Sadie Bjornsen, Sophie Caldwell, and Rebecca Rorabaugh all advanced. Canada’s Chandra Crawford had a decent run but ended up 32nd, the top Canuck, as no Canadian women made the final.

In the men’s 1.6km qualification the USA’s Andy Newell in 12th and Alex Harvey (CAN) in 16th were the only North Americans to advance to the heats as speed king Emi Joensson lead a 1-2 Swedish punch with Teodor Peterson in second followed by Russia’s Alexey Petukhov in third. Canada’s Jesse Cockney placed a strong 32nd while the USA’s Simi Hamilton was 33rd followed by Canada’s Devon Kershaw in 34th.

Women’s qualifications HERE.
Men’s qualifications HERE.