DAVOS, Switzerland - The U.S. Ski Team’s Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) turned in another top notch result in the Davos individual sprint finishing third and leading the U.S. in performances Sunday. It was the second straight podium finish for Randall, who was second in the Duesseldorf, Germany city sprint a week earlier.
Three Americans made it through qualifying to the quarterfinal heats. Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) qualified fourth and Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO) 11th.
Marit Bjoergen of Norway continued her hot streak, playing another strong hand to take the win. She narrowly edged out Italian sprinter Arianna Follis. U.S. Ski Team Cross Country Head Coach Chris Grover knew it would be a good day for Randall, coming off her podium performance in Duesseldorf.
"Anytime she can qualify within the top 10, I know she’ll be a contender," said Grover.
Randall went head-to-head with Polish skier Justyna Kowalczyk in the quarterfinals, winning by four-tenths. Kowalczyk would go on to become Randall's nemesis in each of the heats. In the semifinals, Randall beat the Polish skier again, but by only one-tenth.
In the finals, Kowalczyk beat Randall across the line for third, relegating the American to a spot just of the podium. Kowalczyk, though, drew an immediate penalty, relegating her back into sixth.
"It was a totally unnecessary lane change by her," said Grover. The Polish team is currently considering appeal.
"She came right over the top of me, pushing me almost to the fencing," said Randall. "It was frustrating because I thought I could really fight for second. It was an aggressive move. But that's the way sprint racing goes sometimes."
Women’s Sprint 1. Marit Bjoergen, Norway 2. Arrianna Follis, Italy 3. Kikkan Randall , Anchorage 4. Petra Majdic, Slovenia 5. Astrid Jacobsen, Norway - 57. Elizabeth Stephen, E. Montpelier, VT
