December 04, 2011 (Dusseldorf, Germany) – Kikkan Randall and Sadie Bjornsen of the US XC Ski Team made it two in a row this weekend in Dusseldorf with a second podium finish at the World Cup women’s team sprint (6x800m) event on Sunday grabbing the silver medal – the first team sprint podium ever for the Americans.

Claiming the gold was Norway I’s Maiken Falla and Mari Eide. Randall, yesterday’s winner in the women’s individual sprint, teamed up with World Cup rookie Bjornsen, who skied the race of her life to keep the Americans in the running in the fast-paced and hectic final. Russia I took third place.

“It’s just amazing. We gave our best and tried to stay on our skis and fight,” Randall told FIS XC. “We came as the “dark horses” from behind and nobody expected us. It  is the first team sprint podium for us.”

“Today was amazing. What a feeling. Now I can truly understand why people keep coming back year after year,” said Bjornsen in a USSA release. “I think I can safely say today was one of the best days of my life. In fact, I still can’t stop smiling!

The historic podium from Randall and Bjornsen was the first for the USA. (previous best fourth for women was in Jan. 2009 at the Olympic test event in Whistler Olympic Park and Dec. 2008 in Duesseldorf for the men).

“Today even tops yesterday,” said Randall in the release. “I’ve always known that we could put together a podium-capable relay team, and we did it! Sadie skied really well – being patient when needed, skiing smarty and gutsy, and keeping us right in there!

Canada’s Chandra Crawford and Perianne Jones also skied a strong race and were running close to the front on a number of laps but couldn’t quite match the pace on the final sprint to the finish and ended up in 7th. Jones deftly avoided disaster at the start of the race by making a nimble move around a fallen Swedish skier.

On the men’s side, Russia’s I’s Alexey Petukhov made a bold attack on the final lap but couldn’t quite hold off the hard-charging Teodor Peterson of Sweden I, who stole the win at the line. Norway I came in third.

Canada’s Drew Goldsack and Lenny Valjas squeaked into the men’s final as Lucky Losers from the first semi-final and made the most of the opportunity, finishing a strong fifth place.

Also skiing for Canada, Alysson Marshall and Dasha Gaiazova finished 11th in their semi-final heat and were eliminated. The USA’s Holly Brooks and Ida Sargent finished 8th in the semis and were also eliminated.

The American men’s team of Andy Newell and Skylar Davis failed to qualify for the final, finishing 14th in their heat.

Full report and more comments from Randall, Bjornsen, Crawford, Jones, Valjas and Goldsack plus photos to follow.

Full women’s final team sprint results HERE.
Full men’s final team sprint results HERE.