![Kikkan Randall on the podium at World championships - as seen on the stadium video board (Photo: James Southam)](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/02/img_0072_2.jpg" "Kikkan Randall on the podium at World championships - as seen on the stadium video board (Photo: James Southam)")
Kikkan Randall became the first US woman to win a World Championship medal in cross-country skiing when she skied to second place in the 1.3km freestyle sprint in Liberec, Czech Republic today. Randall finished .6 seconds behind winner Arianna Follis (ITA), and barely edged out bronze medalist Pirjo Muranen (FIN).
Randall started the day strongly, posting the 7th fastest qualifying time. After a slow start to the season, leader of the US women’s team demonstrated her return to top form by finishing 6th in this event in the final World Cup prior to the World Championships.
The only other cross-country World Championship medal won by the US was in 1982. Bill Koch took the bronze in the 30km in Oslo, Norway.
Randall continues to set new standards for US cross-country skiers. Last year she became the first US woman to win a World Cup race when she stood atop the podium in Rybinsk, Russia.
7 comments
nordicmatt
February 24, 2009 at 11:19 am
Anchorage, the State of Alaska, and the rest of the U.S. is proud of your accomplishment. Looks like we’ll have to put a sign up as you enter the city, “Home of Nordic World Championship Silver Medalist Kikkan Randall.”
patrickkidd
February 24, 2009 at 12:03 pm
YEAHH KIKK!
nordic_dave
February 24, 2009 at 12:04 pm
A belated congratulations to Todd and Billy, and it’s great to see Kikkan back on the podium. It’s fun to be proud of our team
because yeah they know how to…… GIT ‘ER DONE!
patrickkidd
February 24, 2009 at 12:05 pm
http://www.adn.com/kikkan/story/700459.html?mi_pluck_action=comment_submitted&qwxq=7130682#Comments_Container
Reese
February 24, 2009 at 12:25 pm
YEAH!!! that is so awesome, you rock Kikkan!
patrickkidd
February 24, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Way to go Pirjo, too. I remember seeing her in Lahti in 2001 – she was 19 and the only one not caught for doping. She hasn’t been seeing results like this for a while, either
artamax
February 25, 2009 at 7:44 am
Kikkan…….great and congratulations!
The Swiss guys Max and Jeannette from the Engadin