March 18, 2012 (Falun, Sweden) – While all eyes were on Norway’s Marit Bjoergen today as she took home the World Cup crown and final Mini Tour title, the prime focus for US fans and North Americans at large was Kikkan Randall, who made history becoming the first American women to win a World Cup overall title, and finally lay claim to the Sprint Cup Globe after a stellar season. She also ended a 30-year drought as the last time the US won a WCup title was when the legendary Bill Koch won the men’s overall in 1982.

“I feel like it’s just right. It’s been an incredible season,” said an elated Randall post-race.”It has been really really fun and challenging. I feel like this is the perfect cap to end it. I’m looking forward to taking a little break and letting it all sink in.”

Bjoergen sealed her victory in the 10km freestyle handicap start defeating arch rival Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland by over a minute, with a decisive win in today’s last race of the season and in doing so won the over World Cup Globe to go with her Distance Globe that she locked up in Oslo.

Kowalczyk, who started today’s handicap stage race just 6.4 seconds behind Bjoergen, charged hard from the gun to close the gap to Bjoergen within the first kilometre. The effort appeared to cost her, however, as she began to lose contact with Bjoergen soon after, especially on the downhill after the infamous Mordarbacken climb.

Bjoergen would go on to victory by a 46-second margin over teammate Heidi Weng, who bested Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla and Norway’s Therese Johaug in a three-way sprint for the silver medal. Kalla treated local fans to an exciting photo finish beating Johaug for the bronze.

Kowalczyk, who was passed by the hard-charging threesome in the final kilometre of the race, faded but was able to hang on for 5th place losing over a minute to Bjoergen at the finish.

The American women’s team continued its stellar 2012 season by placing three in the top 20 overall at this year’s final race. Randall finished the day in 8th place overall, followed by team mates Jessica Diggins and Liz Stephen in 15th and 18th, respectively.

“I knew it was going to be a challenging race today,” continued Randall. “I felt like I had a good chance to catch number six right in front of me. And I knew the two right behind me were coming on strong so I tried to put a good effort out there and make them work hard to catch me and then I was trying to latch on and ride them for the rest of the race.

“I was able to hang on a little bit but they put a strong move on leaving the stadium and I couldn’t quite hang in there. It definitely was a hard race but that’s how you want to finish the season.”

Diggins had the 9th fastest time of the day and was happy to finish the season strong following a bout of sickness that kept her out of contention temporarily.

“I had really fast skis. My strength is in transition zones on the course so I would lead on the flats and descents while others would lead on the climbs. We worked together and reeled in the group ahead. On the final hill I hammered but wasn’t able to open up a gap and was doing all the work and then got passed at the end.

“I had nothing left for the sprint at the finish but it was totally worth the try. I’m so happy. It was a great race to end the season on. It felt like a good hard effort. It was great to be able to end the year with a race where I felt like I hung in there.”

Two Canadian women also raced today as Chandra Crawford finished 31st and teammate Dasha Gaiazova finished in 41st. Both will head back home to compete in the Haywood Ski Nationals in Quebec City, site of next year’s World Cup.

For Randall the day was even more special as she locked up 5th overall in the overall World Cup standings doubling up over last year when she was 10th. With Sochi around the corner it seems that the Alaska native is just getting warmed up…

“The sprint globe was my big goal all season but to finish in the top 5th overall is an incredible step forward from where I’ve been. It’s a huge accomplishment. It’s what I’ve wanted all along – to be a contender in every discipline. So it’s been really fun and I hope I can continue to make jumps forward.”

“We are all so proud of Kikkan. She has been working hard for many years to get to a place where she could win a crystal globe.  Through the years, she has demonstrated an immense amount of patience and professionalism,” commented Chris Grover XC Head Coach U.S. Ski Team.

“She had chipped away at the results, each year getting better and better. With immense talent, a positive attitude, and an incredible work ethic, she has set an example for U.S. women in terms of what is possible.

“We are also very proud of this women’s team; they have pushed each other along and supported each other throughout the season. One of our goals will be to win medals in the team events over the next few seasons. The women know that if they are to make this happen, they will all need to take another step forward with fitness and experience, but all of them are committed to this process.”

Women’s 10k FR handicap results HERE.
Mini Tour Overall HERE.
World Cup Final overall HERE.