Continuing with our series on pointless knowledge about professional North American racers, we give you a rare glimpse of Kikkan Randall, who earned her first World Cup classic-sprint podium on Nov. 29 at the season opener in Kuusamo, Finland.
Athlete: Kikkan Randall
Team: U.S. Ski Team; Alaska Pacific University
Age: 30
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
7 Things:
- I had a pet praying mantis when I was in 5th grade. It grew to be 3 inches long.
- I compressed 4 vertebrae in my back from crashing in a downhill ski race on my nordic skis when I was 16.
- I was the “Alaska State Teen Safe Driver Competition” winner in 1999 for completing a week-long series of safe driving and online tests. I won a 1 year academic scholarship to UAA and a big trophy 🙂
- I used to hate pink when I was a little girl.
- I have an affinity for office supplies and formatting documents.
- I won a body building contest in high school.
- I still listen to the Backstreet Boys on occasion
Bonus Round:
- Go-to mantra or motto: Pain is temporary, pride is forever.
- What do you miss most while on the road (besides family and friends)? The freedom of your daily routine at home. Grocery shopping, laundry and driving a car. And curling up on the couch with my two cats.
- Best part about being a pro athlete: Getting absolutely strong and fit and enjoying the accompanying energy and positive outlook on life that comes from working out almost everyday.
- 3 travel essentials: Travel pillow, small speaker for playing music, and my laptop.
- Go-to travel meal or food: I always have a stash of granola bars in my backpack. Right now I am super into these dark chocolate-almond-sea salt bars from Kashi.
- Song that you could listen to non-stop: “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson
- Song you wouldn’t mind never hearing again: You’ve got me stumped, I can’t think of one right now.
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See also: Sadie Bjornsen | Sophie Caldwell | Noah Hoffman | Andy Newell
Alex Kochon
Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) is a former FasterSkier editor and roving reporter who never really lost touch with the nordic scene. A freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two, she lives in northeastern New York and enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks. She shares her passion for sports and recreation as the co-founder of "Ride On! Mountain Bike Trail Guide" and a sales and content contributor at Curated.com. When she's not skiing or chasing her kids around, Alex assists authors as a production and marketing coordinator for iPub Global Connection.