December 14, 2014 (Davos, Switzerland) – Ingvild Flugstag Oestberg took home her first full World Cup victory in the women’s 1.3km FR in Davos as the final resembled the Norwegian nationals with five Norge skiers vs lone Swede Stina Nilsson. Maiken Casperson Falla took second and Celine Brun-Lie was third.

Invild Flugstad Oestberg (NOR) © Nordic Focus

The North American crew saw 3-time Sprint Cup globe winner Kikkan Randall qualify 28th but she did not advance past her quarter final where she finished in fourth at 1.5s off the winner telling media, “Today was another step in the right direction. Last week I had absolutely no gears and didn’t qualify. This week I had a couple gears and a few glimpses of better form. I’m still rebounding from being sick last week and have just been a little light on race efforts this early season.

“The qualification was a nail bitter as I watched my name slip down the leader board until it settled at 28th.  I was really glad to advance and get another chance to ski in the rounds,” she commented by email.

Ida Sargent was the top qualifier for the USA in 19th, her best sprint qualification ever, but she finished third in her quarterfinal and did not advance to the semis ending up 16th. “Today was my best skate sprint qualification ever and the first time I had qualified here in Davos so it was great to see those improvements. I obviously wanted to advance out of the quarters but it was fun being in the mix. We have another sprint here next week so I’m looking forward to another go,” said Sargent.

Ida Sargent (USA) © Nordic Focus

Sophie Caldwell, who is recovering slowly from an elbow injury, and was pleased to make the heats qualifying 23rd telling Trax, “My goal for the weekend was to improve on last weekend, so I was thrilled to not only improve, but to make it into the heats. I know it’s going to take some time to get back to 100% after being injured and sick, so I’m trying to be realistic and take it one step at a time. My heat was tough and I got pretty tired, but I was extremely happy just be there in the first place.”

US Head Coach, Chris Grover echoed her comments. ““This was a really great day for Sophie Caldwell, and while a lot of countries are scratching their heads on how to close the gap to Norway, we’re happy with our improvement for now.”

Oestberg was on fire all day and was unstoppable in the final as Marit Bjoergen ran out of steam while Nilsson suffered an unlucky broken pole in the final and could not close the ground lost after she received a new one.

The USA’s Sadie Bjornsen just missed advancing ending up 31st while Canada’s Perianne Jones was 40th, Jessie Diggins (USA) was 43rd, Caitlin Gregg (USA) was 60th and Liz Stephen (USA) finished 64th.

The World Cup returns to Davos next weekend as La Clusaz was cancelled due to lack of snow.

Qualifications here.
Final here.