Randall placed 21st in a 10-kilometer skate race in Beitostolen, Norway. She finished the race in 26 minutes, 52.1 seconds, a little more than two minutes behind winner Marit Bjoergen of Norway (24:48.3).
"The track was super icy due to a warm wind that blew in last night," Randall said in an e-mail. "Thanks to the many times I have skied those conditions in Anchorage, I was able to stay focused throughout the race and stay on my feet."
U.S. Ski Team coach Pete Vordenberg said the result was a breakthrough for a skier whose international success has come in the much shorter sprint race. Randall captured the silver medal in the sprint at last season's World Championships. "It's one of her best skate races ever and that's a good sign for her fitness and her progression as a racer," he said.
Kris Freeman of Andover, N.H., led the American men with a 22nd-place showing in the 15-K skate race (35:32.1, less than a minute behind winner Ronny Andre Hafsaas of Norway). Lars Flora of Anchorage was 91st in 38:14.9.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.