February 02, 2012 (Moscow, Russia) – Rising American star, Jessie Diggins, and Canada’s veteran, Devon Kershaw, pulled out all the stops in downtown Moscow in biting cold conditions, -16 degrees, to top the qualifications as they lead eight North Americans into the heats.

Diggins turned heads with a 2.47-second margin over Astrid Uhrenholdt  Jacobsen (NOR) in 2nd. Sprint Cup leader Kikkan Randall was 7th and Canada’s Daria Gaiazova was 16th and Perianne Jones was 20th. A surprise miss was fellow Canuck Chandra Crawford in 36th who did not advance.

Kershaw was convincing with a 1.46-sec lead over Russia’s Gleb Retivykh in second and Dmitriy Japarov in third. Canada’s Alex Harvey placed 7th, American Andy Newell was 17th with Canuck Len Valjas in 23rd. Just missing out as well was the USA’s Simi Hamilton in 31st at 0.2s out of the top-30. Canada is vying for a first WCup Sprint men’s victory.

Women’s Qualifications HERE.
Men’s Qualifications HERE.