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Kikkan Randall
- Two-time U.S. Olympian in cross country (2002, 2006)
- Posted the best Olympic finish ever by a U.S. woman in 2006 (9th in 1.2km freestyle sprint)
- Also in Torino, teamed with Wendy Wagner in the Team Sprint finishing 10th, marking the first time U.S. women have made finals in a top international contest.
- In March of 2006, produced the best World Cup result ever by a U.S. woman by finishing fifth in a 750-meter sprint race in Borlaenge, Sweden
- Since the World Cup tour of the best international skiers began in 1982, no U.S. woman had placed in the top eight until Randall.
- "I don't have any words," said U.S. sprint coach Vidar Loefshus. "Kikkan's skiing with so much confidence right now. She's not afraid, not intimidated by anyone."
- 2006 U.S. National Grand Champion; plus, 5km skate, 10km classic and 1.3km skate sprint national champion
- Won her first national title in the 1.5km Sprint by overtaking Tessa Benoit in the final uphill stretch at the 2002 U.S. Championships, qualifying for the Olympic team. For her win, she received the inaugural Most Outstanding U-23 Racer award
- Finished 44th in the sprint and 63rd in pursuit at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
- She is a former state high school champion in cross country running and the last Alaska state speed-skiing champion
- "I love combining power and technique to push your body to the limit -- to the point where it doesn't really hurt any more."
- Her aunt and uncle are former Olympians. Her aunt, Betsy Haines, was a cross-country racer at the 1980 Olympics and her uncle, John, was a 1976 Olympian
- Randall, a sprint specialist, is one of the most talented junior women to come out of Alaska since fellow Olympian Nina Kemppel
- Randall mixes studies at Alaska Pacific University with skiing for the APU Nordic Ski Center run by three-time Olympian Jim Galanes
- 2001 World Junior X-C Ski Championships ( 23rd 5K classic, 6th* sprint), best ever American finish at World Juniors to date
- Randall, who was born on New Years Eve, is nicknamed "Kikkanimal"
Randall got her start in cross country skiing as a good way to cross-train for cross-country running. "Oh yeah, and it's in my blood!" she said, referring to her aunt and uncle who were former Olympians.
Related Links:
Official Site: Kikkan "Kikkanimal" Randall
"I'm really excited about today, said an exhilarated Randall, who jumped out to an early lead in her final heat at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. "Yesterday, I wasn't feeling so hot. After three races already I was a little unsure, but to come in here and ski well in the qualifying round, I felt so relaxed. I was hoping for a top 20 today and top 10 is just amazing. It really sets the stage for four years from now."
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Height: 5'4
Born: 12/31/1982
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Sport: Cross Country Skiing
Event: Sprint
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