December 15, 2012 (Canmore, AB) – Fans were on the edge of their seats for much of the women’s 1.3km FR Sprint heats including a rock n’ roll final that saw American star Kikkan Randall get edged out Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla at the line for the win. Falla’s teammate Celine Brun-Lie took the final podium spot.

Norway's Falla (l) passes the USA's Randall for the win © Robert Whitney

“I wasn’t quite sure how the strategy was going to play out with that downhill being so decisive with the draft,” said Randall. “So I kind of went into the final not really sure what my strategy was going to be, but I wanted to get near the front and decided to just try to make a break over the top and see if I could break it up a bit.

Falla (l) and Randall battle at the finish © Pam Doyle

“I think it worked mostly the way I wanted it to.  I had a little bobble just as we ended the lanes and I just wish I would have stayed a little bit taller but overall I’m super happy with it.”

Local Canadian favourite Chandra Crawford, who’s strong skiing throughout the day earned her a berth in the final as a lucky loser,  cruised in for 6th, her best result so far this season. Fans were hoping for another North American podium but it was not in the cards today despite a stellar show by many NA skiers.

Crawford (r) goes for broke in her semi as Randall (l) and Herrmann (far left) wind it up. © Pam Doyle

Randall and Crawford were the frontrunners qualifying 1st and 3rd respectively as the American handily advanced to the final placing second in both her quarter and semi final heats – both times second to Germany’s Denise Herrmann which raised some eyebrows. Crawford skied well but earned her stripes in the fast lane advancing both to the semis and the final as a lucky loser each time.

“That was really lucky today – it was so wild and shows you can never give up even if the pack pulls way from you,” said Crawford at the finish. “It was the first time I made the top-30 this year and I am incredibly grateful to race at home. I needed the boost today. I wanted to do so well at home. My heart was racing and I only slept like three hours last night.”

Falla (c) and Jones (r) at the finish of their quarterfinal © Pam Doyle

The USA’s Ida Sargent and Canada’s Perianne Jones both advanced to the semis with spectacular finishes in their quarter final heats. Jones, who qualified 14th, struck first with a dazzling run up the inside track slicing ahead from 5th to finish second behind Falla. Then Sargent did the same in her heat – the fastest quarter of the day – only she took the outside lane claiming second behind Brun-Lie, with Crawford in third, Anne Kylloennen (FIN) in 4th and none other than Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) in 5th.

Ida Sargent in action... © Rob Whitney

Canadian Dasha Gaiazova looked very strong in her race leading for most of heat but couldn’t hold off the charging posse behind her which was the case for many today as she ended up 4th.

“I’m happy with my race, I feel really proud” said Gaiazova,”but it’s also sad as I know I’m in good shape and every sprint is so precious I wanted to do better here in Canmore where it’s so special. I know I can climb and descend well, I just need to work on the last little details.”

Sadie Bjornsen (USA) was another early leader in her heat but couldn’t hold the pace until the end – still a good run for her as well. Sophie Caldwell (USA) also contended the quarters landing in Randall’s heat and settling for 5th as she was on good form in Quebec City as well.

Fans were disappointed when Randall, Crawford, and Jones found themselves in the same semi final but that’s racing. Crawford made a strong bid on the final climb but behind Randall and Herrmann were winding it up as the German won with the American second, Fall third and Crawford was 4th. The second heat got underway as Norway dominated and Sargent could not find the same kick ending up 5th as Brun-Lie won and Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg was second. Cheers from the crowd signaled Crawford’s lucky loser berth in the final along with Falla.

Final podium (l-r) Randall 2nd, Falla 1st, Brun-Lie 3rd © Pam Doyle

Randall and Falla were the strongest in the final with Randall attacking on the second climb and only Falla could respond as Crawford hung back perhaps planning the same strategy that others had used on her. The two leaders now had a gap as Randall hit the straight and poured it on but Falla had some reserves and was soon beside her rival and then ahead of the US star to take the win. Brun-Lie crossed the line ahead of Herrmann for the final podium spot as Crawford settled for 6th.

It was another solid outing for 27-year-old Jones. “I planned to bust off that big hill, but my legs were just full of lactic acid. You have to be in contention going up that hill to be able to win it on the downhill. I just didn’t have it, but I am happy to be in the top-12,” said Jones, who was 12th earlier this year in Finland. “

Today was Sargent’s best skate sprint result. “In the qualifier I went pretty hard up the hill and I felt like I flooded and lost a lot of time going into the finish because my legs were too full of lactic acid. In the heats I just tried to stay relaxed on the uphill and the get the draft on the downhill and use my use my quick finish, so that worked in the quarterfinal,” said Sargent.

In the semi final I got boxed in at the top of the hill. But this is a really fun exciting course. There is a lot of game changing going on out there with the big uphill and big downhill. This was my best skate sprint result!”

Kikkan Randall w/the US flag... © Pam Doyle

Randall holds onto the Sprint Cup leader’s jersey and is now tied with Marit Bjoergen for the overall World Cup lead… a good day at the office for the American skier.

“We’re stoked with Kikkan’s result today,” said US Women’s Coach Matt Whitcomb. “Ida, Sofie, and Sadie all raced well – for Ida it was her best skate sprint result so things continue to move in the right direction.”

While second on the podium is no small feat with Randall looking so strong in Quebec City and coming second to Herrmann twice and Falla in the final we wondered if she’s a bit tired. But Whitcomb was quick to point out that Randall looked strong but perhaps skied a bit conservatively after the qualification and then went for it in the final but came up a bit short perhaps missing a beat in the final switch over to her high gear.

“Kikkan’s on track and feels good. Would we change anything today…? No. You have to keep things in perspective… we’re not second-guessing ourselves with second place on the podium. There was a time not long ago when a top 20 was cause for celebration.”

According to Whitcomb the jury is still out as to whether Jessie Diggins and Liz Stephen will be racing on Sunday’s Skiathlon. “We’ll see how they are in the morning…we don’t want to push things this early in the season,” added Whitcomb.

Full results HERE.
Sprint Cup Overall HERE.
World Cup Overall HERE.