March 17, 2012 (Falun, Sweden) – On the penultimate WCup of the season, up the Mördarbacken climb once again, Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) posted another victory as she tried to stem the tide of Norway’s Marit Bjoergen who was 4th today, with only one more chance on Sunday to claim back the overall leader’s jersey.

A Norwegian posse dogged Kowalczyk to the finish with Heidi Weng in second on the podium and Therese Johaug third with Kristin Stoermer Steira in 5th behind Bjoergen for added good measure of Norge strength.

Taking fifth was Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla, who once again performed for the home town crowd, moving past the USA’s Kikkan Randall into fourth in the overall WCup standings.

“The course was tough but I liked it. My skis were pretty good today,” Randall told Trax. “I had all the kick I needed going up the big climbs and descent glide. A few teams that really nailed the skis today, but ours were competitive.”

Randall described today’s race and how she got trapped behind Kalla’s group. “I’m only moderately satisfied with my result today. I had a good opening 2km but then going up the big climb on the first lap I let myself get trapped behind some skiers that had a slower tempo than I was using.

“So I missed a critical chance to bridge up to the next group that included Kalla. It happened again on the 2nd lap so I got aggressive and went up the outside on the very last climb, but by then it was too late to make up the 10 seconds to the next group.  I felt like the fitness was there to be a little bit better today.”

Team mate Jessie Diggins skied a good part of the race with Randall but got tangled up near the finish and ended up 19th while Vermont’s Liz Stephen was in the points as well in 26th.

The Canadian women were further back with Chandra Crawford in 35th followed by Daria Gaiazova in 41st while Alysson Marshall did not finish.

Randall is now seventh in the Falun mini-tour lead by Bjoergen going into the 10km pursuit finale and continues to be inspired by her team mates who were all in the points today including the Canadian podium by Lenny Valajas.

“Incredible skiing again by our fellow North Americans too. Really sweet to see Lenny Valajas take his first distance podium! One more World Cup race left in this season. Kalla has a little gap on me now that will be challenging to make up. But there is always still a chance. My goal for tomorrow is to ski aggressively and be ready to attack if Kalla were to falter.”

Sunday will see the final WCup champions crowned including Randall who has already won the Sprint Cup globe for 2012.

Full results HERE.
Results detail HERE.
WCup overall standings HERE.