December 01, 2013 (Kuusamo, Finland) – The USA’s Kikkan Randall claimed a solid 5th place in the women’s 10km FR pursuit to finish 5th overall as Norway’s Marit Bjørgen won her fourth consecutive Ruka Triple as round #1 of the FIS XC World Cup wrapped up in Kuusamo, Finland on Sunday. Randall matched her best previous mini tour result in Kuusamo and joining her in the points today were Sadie Bjornsen in 16th followed by Jessie Diggins in 24th.

Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla skied her way from 4th at the start and battled Bjørgen up the final hill to claim second place overall. Norway’s Therese Johaug broke away from Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) to claim third as the Polish queen settled for 4th overall.

“It’s great to finish strong and I’ve have good results here in Kuusamo the last three years. You always come into the third day of racing a little bit tired but I know that I tend to get better with more days of racing but I’m most confident skating and had a good day out there. It was great to see some teammates in the points today and we’re looking forward to the relay in Lillehammer,” Randall told Trax post-race – see full interview later today.

Bjornsen was pleased with her skiing as well telling us… “Ruka was a fun and exciting way to start the World Cup Season. There is a long season ahead, and many more races to come, but I am excited to have a great series under me. It was fun to get my first top ten in distance, fun to figure out some classic sprinting, and even more fun to challenge myself on an intimidating course surrounded by fast people today!

“While it wasn’t as good as the other two races this weekend, I was pleased with today. I held myself together, and spent some time skiing with some of the fastest skiers in the World. I know what it looks like to skate ski at the highest level, and I am excited to do some more skate racing this season and improve my skills! I look forward to next weekend filled with more classic racing, and a relay race that for the first time ever, we can start two woman’s teams! That is going to be an exciting moment for all of us! I was especially excited for Hoff today for winning the day, and finishing the tour top ten- so fun to watch!”

For Diggins it affirmation that she’s on track and finding her groove. “I was very happy with today! My skis were running great, and it felt so good to finally get to do a distance skate race! I love the chase so getting to move up in the pack was really fun for me, and my body felt really good today.

“One crazy thing that happened during the race was that halfway through my second lap, someone stepped on my pole and my glove (and the pole) got yanked out of my left hand. I was able to get another pole about .5km later, but couldn’t stop to get a glove on during the climb, so I skied the rest of the race glove-less. I really frostbit my fingers but still ended up having a fun race,” she added.

From Kuusamo the US team will make its way over to Lillehammer for the next World Cup where they’ll have another chance to strut their stuff.

Women’s 10km FR Pursuit results HERE.
Women’s final Overall results HERE.