December 11, 2011 (Davos, Switzerland) – The USA’s Kikkan Randall was untouchable in Davos on Sunday as she took the women’s freestyle 1.5km final sprint in convincing style with a big margin over Russia’s Natalia Matveeva in second and Norway’s Maiken Falla in third – in fact that was her style in every heat after qualifying first earlier in the day.

Racing near the front Randall put the hammer down the second time up the climb and Matveeva could not respond giving the American a sizeable lead which she took to the finish. Canada’s Chandra Crawford also raced well winning her quarter final over Marit Bjoegen (NOR) to finish a strong 9th in the women’s race, after qualifying in 8th position.

Russia’s Alexey Petukhov delivered a similar win to take the men’s 1.5km World Cup skate sprint final. Petukhov escaped and built up a strong lead, which has tried unsuccessfully at recent competitions, but this time it worked. Sweden’s Teodor Peterson, the top qualifier today, barely outstretched teammate Emil Joenssen for second at the line.

Canada’s Devon Kershaw who qualified 28th won his quarterfinal and then made the men’s final as a Lucky Loser finishing 4th overall. He was followed closely by his teammate Alex Harvey, who finished 9th.

Other North Americans to qualify included Canada’s Perianne Jones and Dasha Gaiazova, who finished 29th and 30th, respectively, on the day. The USA’s Holly Brooks qualified 16th and finished 23rd overall.

On the men’s side, the USA’s Andy Newell and Canada’s Len Valjas also qualified in 3rd and 14th respectively, but failed to make it out of the quarter finals – full report and photos to follow.

Women’s Qualifications HERE.
Women’s Final results HERE.

Men’s Qualifications HERE.
Men’s Final results HERE.