November 27, 2015 (Kuusamo, Finland) – The USA’s Ida Sargent had a solid day at the office as the top American finishing a strong seventh place in the women’s 1.4km CL Sprint as the 2015-16 FIS World Cup season kicked off today with Day 1 of the Ruka Triple in Kuusamo, Finland. Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR), winner of the Sprint crystal globe in 2014-15 took the win.

Three other Americans qualified for the heats in addition to Sargent who squeaked in placing 30th – Sadie Bjornsen in 18th, Sophie Caldwell 27th, and Jessie Diggins 29th.

“Today was a fun day and great to start the season off on a good note. The conditions were fast and the tracks were glazed so hard to kick but I had awesome skis today in the heats.  I switched to Madshus and have a new wax tech this year so there is a lot to learn especially at the beginning of the season but my skis were awesome today which is always fun,” said Sargent.

“I got sick in Gallivare so I missed the warm up races. I felt like my training was great up to that point but then I hadn’t done much over the past week so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I just really got healthy yesterday and did my first intensity then and felt horrible but today was a new day and much better and I felt better and better as the day went on!  I love this course with a lot of striding so I just tried to stay in good position and have a clear lane to hammer the uphill.  It was tough to miss the final by just a little bit but I was very happy with my race and excited for the rest of the Ruka minitour,” she added.

Bjornsen raced smart and fast to win her quarterfinal heat with some great skiing, while Sargent squeaked through again advancing to the semis as a lucky loser after finishing third in her heat. Caldwell was fifth in her quarterfinal with Sargent and did not move on, while it was a similar story for Diggins, who also placed fifth in her heat.

The second semi-final round found Sargent and Bjornsen in same heat. Bjornsen looked strong at the start, but faded and then crashed near the end to eventually finish 12th in the final rankings. Sargent raced well moving up to third place at the finish, but she didn’t advance to the final and ended her day in seventh place.

“I had a ton of fun today. My quarters went really well, and I was feeling strong and good. In my semi’s I picked the far right track which had glazed pretty bad, so things got super slippery. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the spontaneous reaction to just run outside the track… but instead armed my way up. When I got to the top, I went to switch tracks, and instead my wax stuck, and I took a little tumble. Shoot! Oh well, still a big glory for me to feel like I can ski with this group,” shared Bjornsen.

“The only other two semi-finals that I have made, I advanced as lucky loser in both, so also a big step to win a quarterfinal in a fast heat! I had the flu right when I got over here, so I was sick in bed for three days, and that is why I wasn’t racing last week [in Gallivare]. It feels good to be healthy again, and going strong. I am really looking forward to the season to come! I had a great summer of training, so I am excited to see what can happen,” she continued.

“Big shout out to the wax techs today. I had some incredible skis all day! Conditions were particularly challenging with temperatures right around zero- but I was kicking and gliding really well up to that last time up the big hill, when I should have just jumped out of the tracks! As I watched Andy do that, I learned my own little lesson for the next trip up these hills! Andy was a site to see today, wow! And Jessie killing it in classic sprinting too, some real moments today! It should be a fun season ahead,” Bjornsen concluded.

Emily Nishakawa (CAN) was the sole Canadian in the mix, finishing 58th.

Stina Nilsson (SWE) finished second, with Ragnhild Haga (NOR) rounding out the podium in third.

Results

Final
1. Maiken Caspersen Falla (NOR) 2:58.23
2. Stina Nilsson (SWE) 0.26
3. Ragnhild Haga (NOR) 1:08

7. Ida Sargent (USA)
12. Sadie Bjornsen (USA)
23. Sophie Caldwell (USA)
25. Jessie Diggins (USA)
42. Rosie Brennan (USA)
58. Emily Nishakawa (CAN)
81. Caitlin Gregg  (USA)
84. Liz Stephen (USA)

Full results here.