Kikkan Randall (USST) ©Lance/Danny Parrish
Congratulations on national title number 12 – tell us about the Sprints and the 10km races.
Kikkan Randall: The sprints were really fun. Because it was a Saturday, there were lots of spectators on hand which made for a really fun atmosphere. The snow held up great and it was some fast racing. I felt good through the rounds and had a good kick in the final. It was fun to be racing alongside Beth Reid, she’s a great athlete.
The 10km was also an exciting race. Since the men raced first, the snow had broken down in places, making it challenging to find a rhythm. My strategy was to start conservative and build into the race. The strategy worked well and I was steadily able to build up speed. I didn’t get any splits over the last 2km so I didn’t know if I had made the deficit to Caitlin [Compton] which had been 12 seconds at the end of the first lap. It was quite the thrill to cross the finish line not knowing the result.
How was it to receive your medal from former US star and fellow Anchoran, Nina Kemppel, with 16 women’s National titles to her name?
KR: It was pretty cool. I remember racing in my first National championship in 2000 when Nina was the top dog. At the time her slew of National titles was so daunting. Actually it still is a little daunting!
Why did you decide race at U.S. Nationals instead of the sprint portion of the Tour de Ski, like Andy Newell?
KR: When we first made our plans for the season, the Tour de Ski was not even on the table. I looked at the US Nationals in Anchorage as a great week to test my fitness and then follow it up with a solid three week block of training before the next World Cup. Opportunities to race an Olympics in your own backyard don’t come up very often and I wanted to take full advantage. Plus, I figure if I start racing the Tour de Ski next year, I won’t be home for Christmas for the next few years!
How are you feeling and how’s your fitness?
KR: I’m feeling pretty good about where I am for this point in the season. I felt the start of my season was very positive with best ever distance results. The sprint results were not quite as good as I would have liked, but I had a similar trend last year and came on strong when it counted, so I am confident that this year I can get even stronger in the weeks to come.
What’s your game plan going forward after the Nationals and leading up to the Games?
KR: I plan to do my pre-Olympics training camp here in Anchorage over the next few weeks, and then head to Canmore, Alberta a week out from the World Cups there [Feb. 4-7] to get in my final tune-up race before the Games.
I recently read that U.S. Alpine skier, Lindsey Vonn, travels the World Cup with 57 pairs of skis. How many pairs of skis do you travel with?
KR: I brought 30 pairs of skis home with me from Europe. Two giant, heavy bags. Some days I wish I was just a runner, with a pair of spikes and a skimpy pair of shorts. But then of course, where would the drama be!?
How much paperwork do you have to fill out for WADA, and/or USADA, every year – I know you have to give them detailed schedules as to where you will be, when, so they can drop by for surprise testing?
KR: We have to keep USADA updated of our whereabouts at all times. This means submitting a quarterly whereabouts submission online that maps out my proposed schedule for three-month blocks. Of course, last minute changes always come up, so I am constantly submitting texts and emails to keep USADA up to speed.
Did you make any New Years Resolutions for 2010?
KR: Nothing too official. Just to enjoy the experience this year, it will go by in a flash!
Thank you, Kikkan! We wish you the best for this season!
KR: Thanks