February 20, 2011 (Drammen, Norway) – US sprint star Kikkan Randall was hoping for a final sprint match up against Norwegian queen Marit Bjoergen before Oslo and she got it. Bjoergen, seemingly invincible this season, resumed her winning ways in Drammen taking the 10km classic yesterday and without question is the target on everyone’s radar.

Randall has been gaining both confidence and experience, including endurance as she put it, and hoped to test the freestyle sprint waters with Bjoergen in Liberec in mid-Jan. but the Norwegian superstar got tangled up in her semi and was out of the final.

The American sailed to victory in Liberec earning her second WCup victory over many top level rivals but without Bjoergen in the mix questions lingered for Randall as to how the chips would fall with the xc ski queen on the start line.

Now she knows.

“I had good energy in Liberec and that course has been good to me. Anything can happen in sprinting and while I hoped we’d meet then I knew our time was coming,” said Randall in a phone interview with SkiTrax.

Winning her quarter and semi final rounds Randall was unstoppable today skiing smooth as silk with a finishing kick that no one could touch as she nailed her second WCup victory of the season in Drammen (3rd in her career) scoring the women’s 1.2km freestyle final. With her victory Randall has regained the overall WCup sprint lead followed by Arianna Follis (ITA) in second with Petra Majdic (SLO) in third.

“I previewed the course so I felt confident each round. In the final I expected Bjoergen to challenge on the inside lane in the finishing straight but she wasn’t there in the shadows when I glanced over,” Randall continued.

Bjoergen won her quarter final handily – altho she had a slight bobble during the finishing sprint that could have spelled disaster – with fellow Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg in tow. Randall countered taking the win in her quarter final heat with Finnish sensation Krista Lahteenmaki in second.

Reigning WCup leader Justyna Kowalcyzk (POL) was stymied from the get-go as she slipped right at the start of her 1/4 final heat and was out in the bat of an eye. Regardless Kowalcyzk, 28th on the today, has lots to smile about a she’s locked up her third consecutive World Cup overall title. Finnish star Aino-Kaisa Saarinen was also an early victim today as was Slovanian star Majdic.

But Sweden’s top speedsters Charlotte Kalla, Hanna Falk and Ida Ingemarsdotter were eager to challenge for the podium including Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla and Italy’s Follis, the reigning freestyle sprint world champ. Follis advanced as the lucky loser coming third in the fastest of the day behind Falla and Kalla.

Also in that speedy quarter final was Canada’s Daria Gaiazova, who just made the qualifying cut placing 30th, but was 4th behind Follis in their quarter final. Still for Gaiazova it was an improvement over Saturday’s 10km classic.

“Finished in 20th – close to the lucky looser spot again (4th in the fastest heat of the day),” Gaiazova told Trax by email. “In my qualifier I did not ski superbly well, not maximizing my height and amplitude and I struggled to find a good tempo.

“That’s why I am extra happy that in the quarter I was able to find the determination to ski aggressively and to fight for it. A great quarter and so close to advancing. It’s a solid feeling going into the World Champs.”

Gaiazova’s teammate Chandra Crawford, who qualified 9th, skied a strong quarter final as well placing third, but did not advance as a lucky loser as her heat was not one of the fastest and she ended up 14th.

“I felt pretty good and I’m definitely happy with my racing both days to prepare for Worlds even if it left me lacking a tiny bit at the very end of my quarter,” said Crawford post-race. “Today was a beautiful day for racing with great tracks and the sunshine making it feel like Canmore for me. Our wax men were outstanding and the boards were really fast.”

Crawford’s no stranger to the top of the podium as the 2006 Olympic sprint gold medalist and is feeding off Randall’s high energy and her teammate Alex Harvey who claimed the silver in the men’s race.

“I was totally overjoyed to see Kikkan dominating without missing a beat even after being off the world cup for several weeks. Her form in the finish was truly a thing of beauty to watch. It was a fantastic day for North America with Alex on the podium as well and a huge breakthrough for Lenny to qualify 4th makes me proud to be part of such a successful team.  On to Worlds – I’m stoked for Thursday!”

Canadian head coach Justin Wadsworth agreed. “Chandra and Dasha both skied well today. Chandra skied the distance race yesterday which will help build her threshold, and the course in Oslo also suits them better as well.”

In the semis it was Falla and Bjoergen in charge with the fastest heat as Randall countered again taking the win in her semi with Ingemarsdotter in second. Follis and Kalla benefited from being in the fast semi and now the final line up was complete.

Randall played it cool in the final staying mid-field through the first half and then moved up over the final uphill tucking in behind Falla who was leading. As they came around the final corner into the finishing straight Randall torqued it up and caught Falla.

The two raced neck and neck until Randall added her second kick to pull ahead for a solid win and her third WCup victory. Bjoergen who looked like she might threaten did not have the gas to compete and finished in 5th as Sweden’s Kalla grabbed the bronze. Follis was 4th and Ingemarsdotter was 6th.

“It feels pretty good,” said Randall. “I’ve been away from racing for a month so I was definitely a bit nervous but I felt good about my training and it was great to put down a good result today.

“My confidence and endurance are there and it’s important to keep relaxed but alert – that comes with experience. Sure there’s pressure but it’s in perspective now.”

Randall told us her husband Jeff Ellis (a Canadian from Orangeville, ON) is her good luck charm and we caught up with him to get his thoughts on his better half’s performance.

“It’s a great day for sure. She was really challenged on the homestretch for this win. She has racing gears this year and is able to move through them as needed,” said Ellis by email.

And what about his being her lucky charm?

“It’s funny she mentioned a good luck charm. I have actually been wearing a good luck charm for her the past two World Cup wins.  It’s a red arm band that I got as a hand out walking around the hockey arena in Davos, Switzerland at Christmas.  It was during the Spengler Cup trying to find tickets to the semi-final game with Canada vs Davos.  For some reason I threw it on my wrist in Liberec and she won, so I brought it with me for the World Championships but decided to put it on again today.  Hopefully the third time really is the charm!”

So how important was this win for Randall?

“It’s important for sure as a confidence booster going into the Worlds but anything can happen in a sprint so you have to stay relaxed and alert. The Olso course is longer – today’s time was 2:15 and got the Olso course it will closer to 3:15 with more climbing.”

“The fans here are super,” she concluded. “It’s what every racer dreams of, emptying the tank and have everyone push you on with their cheering.”

Naturally US head coach Chris Gover was ecstatic. “We had a rough day yesterday so today was a great turn around for the team heading to the Worlds. Kikkan is in control with great fitness and keeps impressing with her confidence and ability. She ran her game plan perfectly today and when she does she’s tough to beat by anyone.”

The road to the Oslo Worlds is now shining that much brighter for Randall and the US team – and the Canucks as well.

Qualifications HERE.
Final results HERE.