December 18, 2005 (Canmore, Alta.) – “I was exhausted when I woke up this morning,” admitted Beckie Scott at the press conference after yet another Canadian podium finish. “But I went to the line knowing I would have to maintain my strength. In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever felt stronger.”

In many ways this brand new Olympic event that pits two skiers per team skiing three legs of a course that is just over 1 km per heat and then a final, has got to be one of the toughest events ever – especially on a frigid, windy day at the end of two weekends of World Cup racing. As Sara Renner disclosed after the duo’s fantastic silver medal performance, “It hurt in many organs.”

Yes, Canada was as hot as ever in the first heat battling for one of the top five spots. Beckie Scott set her usual domineering pace and Sara Renner maintained it as they traded the first spot with Sweden II over the demanding course. Italy and Switzerland traded off for third and fourth, while Japan I fell on one of the wild curves and bravely fought back, and Canada III raced it out for the last spot for the final. US II and US III battled with Slovenia to try to bridge back to the lead skiers. In the end, though, it was Canada, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, and Japan I advancing to the final.

In the second heat Germany and Russia swiftly took over the lead while Sweden I and France traded 3rd and 4th spots, with Canada II skied by Chandra Crawford and Milaine Theriault right on their skis, gaining time every lap over Americans Wendy Wagner and Lindsay Williams. Behind them were Slovenia, Japan II, and Perianne Jones and Amanda Ammar of Canada IV. With times 30 seconds faster than the first heat, Germany, Russia, Sweden I, France and a very determined Canada II took the five qualifying places.

The final pitted skiers who had already raced four world cup races during the past week – this would be their fifth and last race. Once again Scott flew from the gun with Germany, Sweden I, Russia, and Sweden II pulling just as hard. By the first lap it was these five countries vying for the top three spots. But Scott was hotter than hot with the fastest leg of any of the skiers for the entire event turning in a 3:03:1. By the fifth change over, it was Germany and Canada alone, with Sweden I four seconds behind, followed by Russia, Sweden II and France. Canada’s Theriault and Crawford were a strong presence in the chase group.

The local crowd went wild for the last lap as Germany’s Viola Bauer and Canada’s Renner exchanged the lead, never letting down on the sprint pace, despite the fact that they had already raced 7K that morning. As they came down the final hill, Renner tucked in behind the German, made her move as they hit the flats, and came from behind.

“I wasn’t really thinking about anything,” she said after the race. “I just tried to get every ounce of energy into my arms. Go, go, go. I just wanted to get to the finish line. I was shooting for a win.”

The two racers were neck and neck until the last 10 metres, when the German just had a little more and powered ahead, winning in 18:38:6, with the Canadians winning an unprecedented 6th World Cup medal in 18:39:6. Sweden I took the bronze in 18:45:4. Canada II finished 9th, with Theriault and Crawford winning FIS world cup points.

Results:

1 GERMANY GER 18:38.6
3 SWEDEN I SWE 18:45.4
4 RUSSIA RUS 18:47.3
5 SWEDEN II SWE 18:59.8
6 FRANCE FRA 19:11.8
7 SWITZERLAND SUI 19:12.5
8 JAPAN I JPN 19:30.2
9 CANADA II CAN 19:33.9
10 ITALY ITA 20:08.3
11 UNITED STATES I USA Semifinale
12 CANADA III CAN Semifinale
13 SLOVENIA I SLO Semifinale
14 UNITED STATES II USA Semifinale
15 JAPAN II JPN Semifinale
16 UNITED STATES III USA Semifinale
17 CANADA IV CAN Semifinale
18 SLOVENIA II SLO Semifinale