Randall, Brooks Strong in 5k freestyle
World Cup: Kuusamo
Sat, Nov 26, 2011 - By USSA
KUUSAMO, Finland (Nov. 26) – Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) continued her strong season start, finishing 12th in a 5k freestyle race in the second leg of the weekend-long Ruka Triple in Kuusamo. The finish left her in fifth place in both the Ruka Tripla and FIS World Cup behind Norway's Marit Bjoergen, who swept to her third straight win of the season. Holly Brooks (Anchorage) finished an impressive 17th, a career best World Cup and first European World Cup points. In the men's 10k, Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) was 24th behind winnter Petter Northug of Norway. Action wraps up Sunday with a pursuit.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Ruka Triple is a three-day mini stage race with each day counting for half the normal World Cup points. It ends Sunday with a pursuit.
- Kikkan Randall was 12th, 35.7 seconds behind the undefeated Marit Bjoergen.
- Known as a strong freestyle sprinter, Randall has been showing effectiveness in distance events with an 8th in opening 10k in Sjusjoen and the 12th in Kuusamo.
- Brooks' previous best World Cup was a 24th in Canmore.
- Randall, Brooks, Liz Stephen and Kris Freeman all finished in the points (top 30)
- Both Randall and Brooks are out of the APU Nordic program in Anchorage
QUOTES
Head Cross Country Coach Chris Grover:
Holly (Brooks) was for sure the story of day with her first World Cup points in Europe.Great day for the women (Randall, Brooks, Stephen). Sadie (Bjornsen) skied very well also - perhaps one of her best skate races ever.
We're also excited to see Bird (Kris Freeman) moving up through the ranks. I think tomorrow could be better yet for him. A good day for us as a whole to have four in the points (Randall, Brooks, Stephen, Freeman)
RESULTS
Official Results
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=30401&cal_suchsector=CC