Kikkan Randall (USA) © Nordic Focus

February 11, 2014 (Krasnaya Polyana, Russia) – American Kikkan Randall’s four-year dream to make history as the first American woman to medal in xc skiing at the Olympic Games came to an early end as she was eliminated in her star-studded quarterfinal in the women’s 1.3km Sprint FR. Her teammate Sophie Caldwell was quick to pick up the mantle in her Olympic debut advancing to the final for a career-best result ending up 6th due to an untimely crash. Randall talks about the sting of a missed opportunity yet giving her all, and the chances for redemption ahead.

“I’ve been thinking about this race for a long time and we planned out and we show up today, ready to go and I was really happy with the way the preparation has been coming into these games. I felt really strong and ready to go today and also my number one goal was to come in, ready to go and ready to fight for the medal and give it everything I had and I did do that today. I was really happy. I knew it was going to be a tough quarter final heat with Herman, Bjorgen and Malvalehto,” said Randall post-race.

“Those are all women we’ll see in the final. I got into a good position over the top, made a couple of good moves, and felt strong coming into the stadium. I was feeling really good and was ready to come off that final turn and have a good finishing stretch but that final gear just wasn’t quite there and unfortunately I fell apart a little bit right before the finish and didn’t get a good lunge in,” she explained.

So just how close was it…? “Seven hundredths of a second is an incredibly close margin and I’m sure I’ll be reliving those moments hundreds of times in my head. I was happy to be on my feet today, happy to be in the fight. I gave everything I had and just to come into the Games as a gold medal contender was incredible. I wish I would have been able to fight for that in a few more rounds today but maybe my teammates can carry the torch now,” she continued.

Recapping her day Randall confessed that the final gear that has brought her so many podium and two consecutive Sprint Cup Crystal Globes wasn’t there today.

“I think the skis were great today. I felt pretty good in the qualifications. I felt like there was a little bit more that was going to come out in the rounds so that was a good feeling. I made a couple good moves and was in good position. Of course, taking the lead makes it so those behind you can conserve a little bit more energy – usually that works for me. Like I said, that final gear wasn’t quite there. Hopefully the effort today will kind of bring it around for the next race,” she confided.

But the Games are far from over and Randall is knows the anything can happen in any race at any time… and the fighter in her is ready to meet the next challenge.

“I’m so glad there’s a couple of great races to look forward to. In Oslo, when I was coming into the World Championships and fell in the quarter finals, that was it. That was the one chance I had so to know we have two great teams events coming up – to know my form can get better as we go through these Games – that’s making today a bit easier for sure.

“I was telling myself to fight for every second because sometimes there’s lucky loser spots always available. Anything can happen. Unfortunately, my legs got a little stiff and I just didn’t get in the lunge that I wanted. Of course, I’d love the chance to do that again but you just need to keep fighting all the way to the end.

“The shock really hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s tough when you get one shot at these every four years. Sprints especially are always a little bit tough with strategy and everything that can happen. I’m sure it’ll sink in a little bit and sting for awhile but I’m still happy with the way I came into this and gave it my all and that’s the most important today,” she concluded.