March 07, 2015 (Lahti, FIN) – The USA’s Kikkan Randall was back on the podium for the first time this season with a third place finish in the women’s FR Sprint with teammate Jessie Diggins in 4th. Norway’s Marit Bjoergen took her 40th World Cup sprint victory with teammate Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg in second. Randall and Diggins were the only North Americans to advance to the finals.

Final podium © Nordic Focus

The USA’s Andy Newell was the lone North American to advance to the heats making it to the semis to finish 8th on the day. His teammate Simi Hamilton was 33rd while the top Canuck was Len Valjas in 48th.

We caught with Randall post race for her take on her strong result in Lahti, “It felt really good to be back in the mix today.  My skating has been feeling stronger than my classic recently and it’s been a long wait since my last skate sprint at the Tour de Ski. Lahti has been a good venue for me the last few years so I was looking forward to racing here this week, especially after a personally disappointing World Championships.

Conditions were a lot like what we see on Eagle Glacier out there.  So I was thankful for that experience.  My skis were rockets today and that really came in handy on some tactical downhills. My qualification was a bit of a nail bitter but luckily I made it into the heats.  Then I felt stronger through the rounds.

Final Sprint © Nordic Focus

We tested out a new format today where the top 30 skiers got to pick which quarterfinal to ski in instead of getting assigned by finish number.  It was a new twist.

I had one of the last choices as bib 28, so I could only choose between heat 2 or 4.  I chose 2 with the two top qualifiers already in there because I felt being in a fast heat would give me the best chance to move on.  The strategy worked as I advanced to the semis as the first lucky loser.

Jessica Diggins (USA) © Nordic Focus

It was really fun to have Jessie in the final with me.  We got close to repeating our double podium from last year.  She skied great and we both had fast skis.

Making the podium today felt really good after such a frustrating season.  I’ve always believed I could get back to fighting for the medals but this year has been a lesson in patience.  I’m looking forward now to one more sprint in Drammen to close out this World Cup season.

W Qualifications here.
W Final results here.

M Qualifications here.
M Final results here.