January 15 (Liberec, CZE) – It was another historic day for the USA in Liberec as Kikkan Randall took charge of the women’s 1.3km skate sprint to claim her second career World Cup victory. The sprint course in Liberec has been good to Randall as the talented skier won her first Nordic World Championship medal – and first ever US women’s Worlds medal – back in 2009 when she won skate sprint silver here.

“It’s great to be back on top of the podium,” said Randall in a phone interview with SkiTrax. “The course held up well considering the warm weather here in Liberec. The organizers salted it and did a great job all round. I’m happy to see that the experience I’ve gained over the years is paying off.” Randall’s first WCup win was in Dec. 2007 in Rybinsk, Russia.

She was all smiles throughout the match exuding confidence while executing flawless skiing as she qualified third behind Hanna Falk (SWE) in second and race favourite Marit Bjoergen (NOR) in first. A match up with Bjoergen is what Randall was hoping for but fate had other plans.

The American star had just completed her first Tour de Ski while Bjoergen sat out preferring to save herself for the Oslo Worlds. The big question mark was how the grueling Tour would affect Randall – we would soon find out.

The women’s quarter finals were filled with drama as race favourite Marit Bjoergen (NOR) lead off in heat one with her trademark prowess taking the win over Katja Visnar (SLO) with Italy’s Magda Genuin in third. Petra Majdic (SLO) bested Randall as they shed top contender Arianna Follis (ITA) who settled for third as well – both Italians were now out.

Things looked good for Canada as Daria Gaiazova qualified in 12th and top sprinter Chandra Crawford was 19th but they were unlucky to be matched up in the same 1/4 final heat. On the start line with them was young Swedish sprinter Hanna Falk (SWE) who took the lead. Crawford was well-placed in second but suddenly one of her skis slipped out, she lost her balance and was forced to sit back on her skis. It was game over as Crawford couldn’t recover. Falk took the win as Gaiazova finished third behind Marianna Longa (ITA) and did not advance.

Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla and Celine Brun-Lie had the fastest quarter final and both advanced taking Laure Barthelemy (FRA) and Jenny Oeberg (SWE) with them as the lucky losers.

The semi finals unleashed more surprises as the number one seed Bjoergen tangled with Visnar midway through their heat and while neither crashed they were put off pace. Bjoergen scrambled back and regained some ground to finish third hoping to advance as a lucky loser but that was not to be – her winning streak had ended.

Randall and Majdic ramped up the pace in their semi knowing the stakes were high as the American returned the favour besting the Slovenian for the win a full 3s faster than Bjoergen’s heat meaning that Falk and Caspersen Falla, both in Randall’s heat, advanced as the lucky losers.

“We knew Bjoergen was third and had to pick up the pace,” said Randall. “I felt good out there and was able to keep setting up strong and adding to the load when I needed to get around people and be at the front.”

Was she disappointed that Bjoergen wasn’t in the final? “Definitely I was looking forward to a match up with her. It’s unfortunate but shows you that it can happen to anyone out there.”

The final saw Falk take the lead with Randall sitting mid field. She was third over the top of the first hill behind Brun-Lie with Majdic nearby. “I could feel Majdic was close so I kept the pace up and looked for room to get clear,” explained Randall.

Up the second climb Randall made her move on the outside, staying out of trouble while making gains. She pulled even with Falk on the downhill and passed her around the final corner as they headed into the finishing straight. From there she was home free as no one could catch her now.

Randall put the hammer down and won with a comfortable margin. “It was great to feel confident in the final and find that extra gear when I needed it.”

With her win Randall now has her third sprint podium this year and her second WCup win as the new leader in the WCup sprint standings. She’s come a long way since her first victory in Rybinsk.

“It’s a fabulous day for Kikkan,” said US head coach Chris Grover. “She knows the course here and she’s skiing smart and not getting flustered. She’s very consistent and her fitness is strong coming off the Tour de Ski. This is a great way to end this part of the season as she can now take a break and begin preparing for the Worlds.”

Randall heads to Prague and then back home on Sunday for a 3-week break before returning to action in Drammen, Norway on Feb. 19-20, just prior to the World Championships.

“I’ve been away for two months so I’m looking forward to the break. This is a great way to finish off and I’m taking home a lot of confidence in the lead up to the Worlds in Oslo.”

Full women’s sprint results HERE.
Sprint standings HERE.
Overall WCup standings HERE.