Kikkan Randall and her U.S. Cross Country Ski Team teammates made their final preparations Tuesday on the perfect ski tracks of Oslo’s famed Holmenkollen venue.
Randall comes into Thursday's opener as one of the favorites following her dramatic sprint World Cup win in nearby Drammen Sunday. With the trees laden with snow and with light snow falling, it made for the ideal scene set for these much anticipated championships to get underway. Randall took her final tuneup on the tracks and said she was ready.
"I feel great and very energized following the Drammen races and I am set to go.The sprint course here is really one I like very much."It has all the right elements," said Randall, who goes into the World Championships poised and confident following her second World Cup win of the season.
U.S. Cross Country Head Coach Chris Grover also said his charges are prepared. "We are all healthy and everyone is happy and ready." Record crowds are expected on race day Many rabid fans have already been camping out in the nearby forests near the racing trails to cheer for their favorites.
Randall and teammate Andy Newell are both expected to be strong contenders in Thursday's opener. In addition to Newell, men's starters will be Kris Freeman, Simi Hamilton and Torin Koos. Women's starters will include Randall, Sadie Bjornsen, Ida Sargent and Jessica Diggins. It will be the first major event starts for Bjornsen, Sargent and Diggins.
Contributed by US Ski Team
