March 24, 2013 (Falun, Sweden) – The USA’s Kikkan Randall accomplished what no other American female skier has done before, placing 3rd in the overall World Cup standings as she clinched the final podium spot with her 7th-place result on Sunday in the women’s 10km FR Pursuit.

It was one of her best distance results this season and the second fastest time of the day meaning another podium finish for the Alaskan queen. Randall had to place 15th or better given that Marit Bjoergen (NOR) was the likely winner of the final Mini Tour of the season which she claimed today. The US star puts on another hat tomorrow for a Fast and Female event in Falun where 90+ young female skiers get to rub shoulders with the stars.

For a switch we caught up with Jeff Ellis, Randall’s husband – the main man behind the main woman so to speak – for his take on today’s outcome…

“Today was Kikkan’s best distance result since before the Tour de Ski. A great way to finish the season. She knew she needed to be top 15 to stay in the Top 3 in the overall and I think it was the motivation she needed to dig deep and produce a result like we saw today. World Champion, World Cup Overall Sprint champion, and third in the Overall World Cup….check, check, check. Quite a season,” commented Ellis.

Matt Whitcomb, US Women’s Coach was on cloud 9 as well… “It’s unbelievable. It’s so cool that she had both distance and sprint podiums and be able to finish it with what’s rumoured to be a podium time today [it was]. It’s just a great way to finish it having one of her strongest races and performances to complement the other great results.”

Full interviews with Randall and Whitcomb plus final report to follow…

Women’s 10km FR Pursuit results HERE.
Women’s 10km FR Pursuit finishing times HERE.
Mini Tour results HERE.
World Cup Distance Overall HERE.
World Cup Overall HERE.
BMW Overall HERE.
Prize Money HERE.