Val Müstair, Switzerland – American Kikkan Randall was absolutely untouchable on New Year’s Day, leading qualifying by nearly five seconds and winning each of her three heats by huge margins to claim her second victory in three Tour de Ski starts in the freestyle sprint at Val Müstair.

The win boosted Randall, of Anchorage, Alaska, from 14th to fifth in the Tour de Ski standings, one minute, 18 seconds behind leader Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland who failed to make the final heat.

“I am really excited about today’s victory. It has been a great day. The course was perfect and the crowd was really loud,” said Randall. “Skating has been very good for me this season. Even though it is 15 km for the next competition I am looking forward to it.”

All four U.S. Ski Team women made the heats along with Vermonter Andy Newell, who was ninth to lead the U.S. men as Norway’s Finn Haagen Krogh won. Newell led most of his quarterfinal heat before dropping to fourth at the finish. He made semifinals based on quarterfinal time but failed to qualiy for finals.

The seven-stage Tour de Ski continues Thursday with a 15k freestyle for women and 35k for men in Toblach, Italy, before the Tour finishes in the Italian village of Val di Fiemme with a pair of stages Saturday and Sunday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Cross Country World Cup
Tour de Ski – Val Müstair, Switzerland – Jan. 1, 2013

Women’s Freestyle Sprint

Men’s Freestyle Sprint