January 14, 2012 (Milan, Italy) – The USA’s Kikkan Randall strengthened her grip on the overall Sprint World Cup red jersey taking second on Saturday behind winner Ida Ingemarsdotter from Sweden in the women’s 1.4km freestyle sprint in downtown Milan, as the FIS XC Ski WCup revisited the renowned venue this season (more on Milan here). Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla was third.

Randall lead a bevy of North American women qualifying 11th as five advanced including Canada’s Chandra Crawford in 18th, American Jessie Diggins in 21st, Perianne Jones in 28th and Dasha Gaiazova in 29th. Just missing the mark was the USA’s Sadie Bjornsen in 31st (out by 0.14s) with Ida Sargent in 43rd.

Randall won her 1/4 final and semi final rounds to make the final as Crawford (7th) and Jones (12th) also made the semis. The two Canucks were in the same quarter-final with Jones edging out her teammate for second. Crawford advanced to the semis as a Lucky Loser but their respective days ended there as Jones matched her career-best sprint finish on the World Cup. Diggins grabbed 4th in her 1/4 final heat, which unfortunately had Randall in it, while Gaiazova looked strong leading hers but ended up 5th and both did not advance.

In the final a small technical error cost Randall the win as she hesitated picking her lane in the finishing straight and that gave Ingemarsdotter the opening to take a small lead and the victory.

“I hesitated for a moment in making my final lane choice and I think taking the inside lane that had been skied in more may not have been the right choice,” Randall told SkiTrax. “That moment cost me a little bit of momentum and that’s where Ida made up the ground on me.

“I fought to get back up on my skis, but couldn’t close that half a stride before the line.  My energy was still good, just a little technical error that cost me the win. Still psyched with my 2nd place and more points toward the overall Sprint Cup.”

Randall continues to lead the series with 484 points followed by Natalia Matveeva (RUS) in second with 310 points and Falla sits third with 276 points. Diggins and Randall will contest the Team Sprint on Sunday.

Men’s Race
In the men’s 1.4km race Andy Newell (USA) qualified 8th with Canada’s Len Valjas in 17th and Simi Hamilton (USA) in 23rd as Matias Strandvall (FIN) topped the men’s field. The USA’s Michael Sinnot placed 68th.

Newell hit some bad luck in his quarter final as his ski was stepped on near the end causing him to spin out and lose momentum and his day was done. Valjas and Hamilton did not advance past the 1/4 finals either as Erik Brandsall from Norway earned his first freestyle skate WCup.

Josef Wenzl (GER) finished second and Teodor Peterson (SWE) was third as Sprint Cup leader Alexey Petukhov (RUS) crashed near the finish with Brandsall coming from behind to nip Wenzl at the line for the win.

“I think I was feeling fine today and was able to get out into the front on the narrow course and take control of things,” said Newell. “I was feeling comfortable going into the last 50 meters but managed to get my tip skied on and spun a little bit which completely killed my speed and ended my day, sending me from second to last in my heat. Pretty frustrating because I was feeling good and I can usually do well on some of those flat city sprints.”

Valjas, the lone Canuck ended up 14th as the top North American, with Hamilton 19th and Newell 26th. The two Americans will race the Team Sprint on Sunday.

Women’s Qualifications HERE.
Men’s Qualifications HERE.

Women’s Final HERE.
Men’s Final HERE.