U.S. Ski & Snowboard is highlighting HERoic trailblazers throughout our winter sports, both past and present. A HERoic trailblazer is a woman athlete who has gone above and beyond in her sport, moving the sport forward through grit and determination and inspiring the next generation of women athletes. 

In the sport of cross country skiing, the pink-haired Kikkan Randall is a household name. She was the first American to win an Olympic gold alongside Jessie Diggins, the first American woman to win a Nordic World Championship medal and the first to win a World Champs gold, the first American woman to win a World Cup race and was the first American woman to ever win a World Cup overall discipline Crystal Globe. Wow.

Emerging as a trailblazer, a role model and an inspiring figure for all athletes for both her sport and her HERoic achievements of health and balancing a family, her relentless pursuit has left an indelible mark on cross country skiing and the Olympic movement. 

A Journey of Dedication

Randall’s journey to becoming one of the most dominant skiers started the day after she turned one year old. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the home of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, she always knew that one day she wanted to be a skier. Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, skiing ran in the family – Randall is the niece of two previous Olympians, Chris and Betsy Haines. Her name was partly inspired by Christina “Kiki” Cutter, the first American, man or woman, to win a FIS World Cup title in alpine skiing. She began skiing the day after her first birthday and, despite originally aspiring to be an alpine skier, she tried out cross country to stay in shape for running. As the story often goes – the rest is history. 

Career Highlights

The crowning moments of her career came in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. With one of the most electric finishing stretches of a race seen throughout Olympic history, Randall and teammate Jessie Diggins upset the favorites to win the gold medal in the team sprint. The historic medal marked the first-ever Olympic gold for the United States in cross country skiing and was a moment that catapulted the sport to the masses. 

Randall competed in five Olympics and made her Olympic debut at 19 years old in the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. In 2006, she finished ninth, making history with the best Olympic result in cross country skiing by an American woman. Throughout her career, Randall kept tallying more historic feats, inspiring generations of athletes at the same time. 

But before she was crowned Olympic champion, Randall shattered records left and right as the first American woman to do almost everything in the sport. She is a three-time World Championship medalist, including becoming the first American woman to medal at the World Champs when she took second in the sprint in Liberec, Czech Republic in 2009. She also won the first World Championships gold medal in U.S. history with Diggins in 2013 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

She also became the first American woman to finish in the top 10 in the World Cup in 2006 (and then went on to have 29 podiums throughout her career), was the first American woman World Cup winner (she had 13 wins in total) and was the first American woman to win a World Cup discipline title with the sprint Globe in 2012 (she won three Crystal Globes in total). 

Breaking Barriers

Randall became a mother just 22 months before the 2018 Olympic Games, and was the only mom on Team USA’s 2018 roster. Within a month of giving birth, she was back in training mode and that next season, she packed up her son to spend the winter on the road racing the World Cup. That season, she won a World Championship medal, and the next, an Olympic gold. 

But two months after winning her Olympic medal, Randall was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had six rounds of chemotherapy in the summer and fall of 2018 and had surgery in the fall. But she ended up on the other side and now is partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise funds to fight the disease, and has since run marathons and skied more kilometers than most can imagine. 

In addition to the American Cancer Society, her work outside of skiing continues to speak volumes. Randall is the President of Fast and Female, a women’s empowerment agency that encourages eight to 18-year-olds to become involved in sport. She advocates and works tirelessly with Protect Our Winters to spread the word about climate change. She also worked on the International Olympic Committee Athletes Commission, and was inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. She is a fierce advocate for creating opportunities for athletes to compete in cross country skiing, and her work has elevated the status of the sport and inspired generations of athletes. 

A Lasting Legacy

Randall stepped away from competitive skiing following the 2018 Olympics, but her legacy remains firmly embedded in the sport's history. She has left an enduring impact on cross country skiing, not only in the United States but also on the global stage, as well as for cancer survivors and mothers everywhere. 

Randall's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork and a relentless pursuit of dreams. As her story continues to resonate with aspiring athletes and fans alike, there is no doubt that her contributions to cross country skiing will continue to inspire and shape the future of the sport for years to come, yet, the biggest takeaway is that whoever decides to try out skiing, enjoys it to the fullest and maybe wears a little bit of pink.

The FIS Cross Country World Cup is making its way back to the States over Presidents' Day weekend, Feb. 17-19, 2024 and it's time to reserve your tickets! The Loppet Cup will offer three unique viewing options to experience all of the action and excitement at Wirth Park in Minneapolis, MN, and thanks to our co-host Share Winter, general admission tickets are free, with registration required. Loppet Cup attendees may reserve or purchase up to six ticket types per event day.

It's been over two decades since the last World Cup event in the U.S., but get ready to witness the best skiers in the world race not once but twice at the adrenaline-pumping Wirth Park, just minutes from the heart of downtown Minneapolis.

Minnesota's own Jessie Diggins is coming back stateside to race a World Cup in her home country for the first time in her career, along with fellow National team athletes, including Minneapolis resident Zak Ketterson. 

How to Secure Your Loppet Cup Tickets

There are three ticket options for the Loppet Cup: general admission, grandstand and VIP spectator experience. You must reserve your tickets, even if they are free general admission.

Tickets:

1. General Admission (free): Provides entry into the park during the event and multiple viewing opportunities around the course. No seating is provided. Thanks to Share Winter, general admission is free and open to the public.

2. Grand Stand ($75 for adults, $35 for youth): Provides entry into the park during the event plus access to bleacher seating near the finish line. 

3. VIP Spectator Experience ($500): Provides access to grandstand seating plus a heated suite, full food and beverage service, and more. Click here for more information.

Check out the ticket options and frequently asked questions, here. 

Tim Baucom, a wax technician for the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team is moving onto the next chapter. For years, Tim’s expertise has played an integral role in the teams’ success on the World stage, including World Cups, World Championships and the Olympics. His meticulous attention to detail and knowledge has undoubtedly contributed to the countless victories and remarkable skiing from our athletes. Beyond his technical prowess, his positive attitude, unwavering support and friendliness has been a constant motivation for not only the athletes, but everyone involved in the sport. As he embarks on the next chapter, there are many things to miss and we thank him for the hundreds - if not thousands - of hours he devoted to the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. 

Now, we welcome another pro to our wax technician team. Leading the charge with the U.S. Snowboardcross Team for several seasons, Paul Choudoir has “been a friend to the team for many years,” said Chris Grover, the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team program director. Bringing years of experience, which included several World Cups, World Championships and the Olympics, Paul’s knowledge of the industry and ski racing will be invaluable as he joins our crew. "He brings a high level of experience in ski waxing, ski selection, and grinding coupled with professionalism, the ability to work under pressure, and passion for the sport," said Grover. "We are looking forward to the 23-24 season with Paul as an integral part of this program.” 

Thank you, Tim for your years of service and we look forward to Paul joining the team!

Quotes for Tim from current and former athletes, coaches and wax techs:

“While Tim’s departure will be a big loss for us, what he added to our team over the last eight years remains. He upped our professionalism, and helped develop our staff’s team culture into an environment people don’t want to leave. But there’s no doubt, I will miss his ever-smile and willing singing voice.” Matt Whitcomb, Head Coach of the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team

“I worked with Tim for the past two seasons and I had nothing but positive and fun times with him. Like all of our wax techs, he worked his ass off every single day and did everything he could to help the athletes he was working with have the best days and skis possible. He always kept a great attitude no matter the outcome and I feel truly grateful to have worked with him these past couple years and to have him as a friend now. I can't thank him enough for the impact he's had on our team.” JC Schoonmaker, athlete on the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team 

“It will be hard to adjust to not having Tim’s presence  Seems like there was more than one of him, he was always there. In the middle of it all. Helping, humble, calming, listening, and just always there. Yolanda will miss you as you drove her expertly and with care!” Eli Brown, Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team wax technician. 

"Our XC team (i can say “OUR” by now) grew big in terms of number of athletes, and we needed to have more techs to take care of them, and that is when Tim came along. They were perfect duo in many ways and they brought fun and knowledge to our team. Throughout the years, Tim opened up even more - he was/is good balancer in many ways and the best bench mate I ever had. Yet, what is most important, is he gave everything he had, doing what he loved to do at that moment. I'm very grateful for that time/journey when Tim was part of our crew. I really hope that our paths will cross agin some day. Would be that on the same “road” or different one." Oleg Ragilo, Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team wax technician.

“From the first time I met Tim when he was helping lead a trip when I was a U16, to spending four World Cup Seasons with him as my wax tech, Tim has always lead with kindness and generosity, followed by top tier waxing skills. Life on the road away from loved ones for an entire winter brought plenty of challenges for me, but I always knew I could count on Tim to show up with positivity and a calm energy, no matter the situation. Tim consistently shows up for many people on our team as a safe person—someone you know you can talk to about anything and feel accepted. It was Tim’s secure attitude and relaxed energy that got me through some of the tough races at the Beijing Olympics. He always has a way of making the most stressful situations feel under control—even when I’d cut it a little close with last minute wax changes, nearly missed my start, or had an awful race and just needed a hug. He always seemed to know what I needed as an athlete- though most importantly, as a human being, and that went a long way in getting me to the start line feeling prepared. The team is incredibly lucky to have Tim as a staff member, mentor, friend and leader. And don’t forget that he’s a wizard on the guitar with the voice of an angel.” Hailey Swirbul, former athlete on the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team