November 16, 2012 (Muonio, Finland) – American speed king Andy Newell was the top qualifier ending up 4th in the men’s field as the US XC Team’s race season officially started with the Sprints in Muonio, Finland. Simi Hamilton finished 8th as Alexey Poltoranin lead a Kazahstan podium sweep in the 1.6km contest.

In the women’s 1.4km sprint won by Polish star, Justyna Kowalczyck, the USA’s Ida Sargent, who qualified 5th, made the final claiming 6th. Teammate Jessica Diggins just made the heats in 30th and finished 29th overall. Top qualifier Finland’s Mona-Liisa Malvalehto was second on the podium followed by Anne Kylloenen in third. Conditions featured a temperature of  -4 degrees on powder snow.

For fans waiting to see US star Kikkan Randall in action we caught with her in Finland. “Still getting my foot to adjust to skiing on snow and getting my boots dialed in. Need to get a few more interval sessions under my belt before I’m ready to race. Hopefully ready to start by next weekend,” said Randall by email.

Results (brief)

Womens Final
1. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL)
2. Mona-Liisa Malvalehto (FIN)
3. Anne Kylloenen (FIN)
4. Evgenia Shapovalova (RUS)
5. Anastasia Dotsenko (RUS)
6. Ida Sargent (USA)
7. Polina Medvedeva (RUS)
8. Julia Ivanova (RUS)
9. Svetlana Nikolaeva (RUS)
10. Natalia Korosteleva (RUS)
29. Jessica Diggins (USA)

Mens Final

1. Alexey Poltoranin (KAZ)
2. Nikolay Chebotko (KAZ)
3. Denis Volotka (KAZ)
4. Andrew Newell (USA)
6. Siim Sellis (EST)
5. Ivan Anisimov (RUS)
7. Toni Ketelae (FIN)
8. Simeon Hamilton (USA)
9. Anti Saarepuu (EST)
10. Timo Simonlatser (EST)

Womans Qualification
1. Mona-Liisa Malvalehto (FIN) 03:02.3
2. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) 03:04.6
3. Evgenia Shapovalova (RUS) 03:05.6
4. Anne Kylloenen (FIN) 03:06.3
5. Ida Sargent (USA) 03:07.7
6. Svetlana Nikolaeva (RUS) 03:08.2
7. Triin Ojaste (EST) 03:09.0
8. Anastasia Dotsenko (RUS) 03:09.7
9. Maria Grundvall (FIN) 03:09.8
10. Denise Herrmann (GER) 03:10.0
30. Jessica Diggins (USA) 03:19.6

Mens Qualification
1. Andrew Newell (USA) 03:20.4
2. Matias Strandvall (FIN) 03:21.7
3. Anti Saarepuu (EST) 03:22.0
4. Ivan Anisimov (RUS) 03:22.5
5. Peeter Kummel (EST) 03:23.5
6. Siim Sellis (EST) 03:23.7
7. Kalle Lassila (FIN) 03:23.8
8. Martti Jylhae (FIN) 03:23.9
9. Simeon Hamilton (USA) 03:24.3
10. Anssi Pentsinen (FIN) 03:25.3
45. Kris Freeman (USA) 03:32.8
66. Sylvan Ellefson (USA) 03:35.5
110. Tad Elliott (USA) 03:42.7

Full results HERE.