Anchorage’s Kikkan Randall teamed with Jessie Diggins of Minnesota to win a World Cup team sprint race in Quebec City, Canada today. It’s the first ever World Cup gold for a U.S. women’s cross country relay team.
The pair fought back a tough challenge from Germany and Norway to take the victory. In a post race interview, Randall said they were thrilled to achieve the historic feat in front of the North American crowd.
“It feels great. We don’t get a chance to race in front of our fans very often so you guys were wonderful out there today.”
Randall and Diggins have been showing strength in recent weeks. They were part of the U.S. women’s four person relay team that made history last week, by winning bronze at a World Cup in Finland. The World Cup cross country tour is normally contested around Europe, but is racing two weekends this month in Canada. The next stop is Canmore, Alberta. The International Ski federation grants extra spots to home venue countries, and that’s allowing additional skiers from Canada and the U.S., including several Alaskans, to compete.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
