March 27, 2011 (Sun Valley, ID) – Fresh off her third overall World Cup Sprint podium, US Ski Team veteran Kikkan Randall (APUNSC) has proved once again that her classic distance ski game is on form. She successfully defended her 30km title on Sunday over Swedish import, Maria Graefnings (University of Utah), in second and rising junior star, Jessie Diggins (CXC Team), in third. It was another stellar finish for Diggins following her great season. Conditions were mostly sunny with some clouds – temperature at the start was -6C air , -5C snow – with some fresh snow falling during the night.

Randall was leading for most of the race with Graefnings shadowing her but the Utah skier couldn’t overtake her. On the final lap Randall surged ahead for the win as Graefnings could not respond. Diggins skied steadily in 4th until mid-way during the race and then settled into third holding off with Morgan Arritola (SVSEF) for the final podium spot – full report to follow.

Unofficial live timing w/splits HERE.

Unofficial (brief)

1. Kikkan Randall (APUNSC) 31:27.4
2. Maria Graefnings (University of Utah) 9.7
3. Jessie Diggins (CXC Team) 28.1
4. Morgan Arritola (USST/Sun Valley SEF) 42.7
5. Holly Brooks (APUNSC) 2:10.2
6. Kate Fitzgerald (APUNSC) 2:57.8
7. Sadie Bjornsen (APUNSC) 3:42.7
8. Chelsea Holmes (Sugar Bowl Academy) 4:54.0
9. Nicole Deyong (Sun Valley SEF) 5:43.3
10. Becca Rorabaugh (APUNSC) 6:39.0
11. Jennie Bender (CXC Team) 7:15.1
12. Chisa Obayashi (Japan) 9:28.5
13. Hannah Dreissigacker (Craftsbury Green RP) 10:18.1
14. Caitlin Patterson (University of Vermont) 10:38.2
15. Alexa Turzian (Sun Valley SEF) 10:39.5
16. Annie Pokorny (Sun Valley SEF) 10:55.1
17. Rosie Brennan (Dartmouth Ski Team) 11:12.8