Lahti, Finland – World Cup sprint leader Kikkan Randall, of Anchorage, Alaska, earned a career best finish in a non-sprint event Saturday, placing 11th in a women’s 10k mixed pursuit World Cup in Lahti, Finland. Norway’s Therese Johaug topped the women’s field while Switzerland’s Dario Cologna won the men’s 20k.nThe race also marked a World Cup best for Randall in an individual a pursuit event, having only broken into the points once before in pursuit at the same venue last year. Saturday was a benchmark for Randall not only earning a career best but also in an event that consists of both classic and freestyle technique.
“My goal all along has been to try and be an all around skier, just because that gives you more chances to be successful. I kind of learned that the hard way last week [at World Championships] in Oslo,” explained Randall. “Hopefully I can just keep building on the success from this season. I don’t think it’s been any one thing I’ve done this year, but the fact that I’ve been at it now for over 10 years and the experience, training and everything is really paying off.”
The women kept the crowd on its toes Saturday as a photo-finish was reviewed to determine the winner. Johaug ended on the favorable side of the decision edging out Poland’s Justyna Kowalcyzk to take the victory, both crossing the line in 25:43.9. Italy’s Arianna Follis came in 23 seconds five tenths behind the duo to take third.
Powerhouse sprinter Randall also had an extremely tight photo finish, with the upside going to Norway’s Marthe Kristoffersen. After jury review, Randall was awarded 11th, with the final top 10 spot going to Kristoffersen by two tenths.
“My mission today was to just kind of get up in the pack and hang in there,” said Randall of her goal coming into the race. “I didn’t know actually I was so close to the top 10. It’s a little bit of a bummer just to miss out on it by two tenths of a second. But I’m still really happy with a personal best.”
In the men’s race, the podium was close with Cologna taking first a mere six tenths ahead of Maurice Manificat of France in second. Close behind in third to round out the podium was another Frenchman, Vincent Vittoz, just one second back. Andover, N.H.’s Kris Freeman was the only American man to compete, finishing in 26th.
With just two sprint races left in the season, the women’s World Cup standings are tight. Randall leads with 391 points, eight ahead of Follis in second and 19 in front of Slovenia’s Petra Madjic in third.
“It’s an exciting place to be in,” commented Randall on holding the World Cup sprint lead heading into the last two races. “I’m not quite as strong at classic sprinting. But I hope I can find my groove and just try to fight it out and stay in the top three.”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS World Cup
Lahti, Norway – Mar. 12, 2011
20/10k Mixed Pursuit
Men
1. Dario Cologna, Switzerland, 47:41.3
2. Maurice Manificat, France, +0.6
3. Vincent Vittoz, France, +1.0
Women
1. Therese Johaug, Norway, 25:43.9
2. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, +0.0
3. Arianna Follis, Italy, +23.5