December 16, 2009 (Davos, Switzerland) – Here’s an insider’s view from World Cup XC ski racing in Davos, Switzerland last weekend by top US skier Kikkan Randall, who is also a contributor to our SkiTrax Diaries. She recounts her experiences during the 10km individual skate and 1.4km sprint, as well as how she recovered from a disappointing race on Saturday to log a top 10 on Sunday.

Redemption on Day Two – Davos World Cup

A quick update from last week’s World Cup races in Davos, Switzerland.

The first race was a 10km skate individual start on Saturday. I had high expectations to continue my trend of top-20 distance results. I started in the midst of the red group. Despite feeling pretty good over the first few kilometers, I quickly got a reality check when I got caught for 30 seconds by Therese Johaug in the first 2.8km. I was able to hang with her through the remainder of the first lap and into the beginning of the second, but started to fall apart at the 6.8km mark and struggled over the remaining 3km. I finished 65th, about three minutes back. Needless to say, a big disappointment.

Based on previous experience, I decided not to dwell on the bad result and focus on the next day’s sprint…

The sprint was on a long and tough course, 1.4km. My qualifying race was solid in 17th place. There was a long, nerve-wracking break between the qualification and the heats during which I had to convince myself I was feeling good and ready to attack.

In the quarterfinals, I narrowly avoided disaster when the Russian in front of me lost her pole going up the steep climb. I got into second position coming off the downhill by free skating aggressively and waited until the finish stretch to attack where I was able to win my heat to advance to the semi’s.

In the semifinals I was sitting in a good position going into the steep climb. I tried to make a move up the outside of the steep hill but two skiers in front of me got tangled up and our whole pack came to a halt as we all tried to get untangled. I definitely got the bum end of that deal as I was stuck and couldn’t move, dropping to last. Two skiers got away after the tangle up and were comfortably ahead. I charged hard over the top of the hill and made my way up into fourth. I followed Arianna Follis (’09 World Champion in sprint) around the final turn and was able to overtake her before the finish line. I gave it everything I had in hopes of getting a lucky loser spot to the final. Unfortunately, our little traffic jam on the hill cost us too much time and I missed being the lucky loser by .6 of a second.

When I heard the announcement, I definitely let out a big stomp into the ground. I had been feeling stronger and stronger in every round and was bummed not to have a shot in the final. 7th place was a decent consolation but I definitely wanted more out of the day. At least it was a good redemption for my poor distance race on Saturday and a good sign that my sprinting fitness is coming up.

Tomorrow I head to Rogla, Slovenia for the final weekend of World Cup racing before Christmas break. There will be a classic sprint and a 15km classic mass-start. Then on Monday, I fly home to Anchorage to enjoy Christmas and prepare for US National Championships in Anchorage!

Additional thoughts:

Don’t let one bad day wreck your weekend: After Saturday’s tough race, it would have been easy to get psyched out for Sunday’s sprint. However, I knew from previous experience that I could bounce back and race well, and I focused on staying positive no matter what. Thankfully I did, on Sunday I felt much stronger and skied a solid race!

Never give up: This weekend’s sprint races were a great example to me about never giving up in a race. In my quarterfinal, the Russian ahead of me completely lost her pole when someone stepped on it on the steep climb (it came out of the grip). She didn’t even hesitate and skated super hard to the top of the hill where she got another pole. She was still in the hunt all the way to the finish line and almost advanced to the semi’s. Andy Newell also broke a pole in his quarterfinal heat and narrowly missed advancing to the semi’s.

Quote of the Day

“Got caught in a traffic jam in the semi’s and just missed making the final. Sprinting fitness is coming up.”

What’s Coming Up

– 12.19.09 – World Cup Sprint Classic – Rogla, SLO
– 12.20.09 – World Cup 15km Classic – Rogla, SLO
– 01.02.10 – US National Championships Sprint F – Anchorage, AK
– 01.04.10 – US National Championships 10km F – Anchorage, AK
– 01.06.10 – US National Championships 20km C mass – Anchorage, AK
– 01.08.10 – US National Championships Sprint C – Anchorage, AK

Thanks for reading,

Kikkan