January 25, 2008 (Canmore, Alta.) – It was another Slovakian morning in Canmore as Valentina Shevchenko of the Ukraine skied to a 26:46.7 finish, Eugenia Medvedeva of Russia was 30.3 seconds back, and Justyna Kowalszyk of Poland came in just behind her, 27.20.0 back in a 10 km skate on cold, slow snow.

Veteran Italian Sabina Valbusa was fourth (42.2 back) while Russia took the fifth spot, 51.6 seconds back. All three also were top three in their split times too with Shevchenko one second ahead of Medvedeva at the 5km split. She put nearly another 30 seconds during the second lap.

The top North American was Canada’s Sara Renner, who had a solid performance in 25th spot, 1:57.3 back. New comer to the Canadian senior women’s team Madeleine Williams placed 32nd, 2:29 back, and Alaskan team member Kate Arduser was the first American across the line in 39th place. Canmore was also her first World Cup race ever.

“It was a good ski for me. My skis went very well,” said Shevchenko. “I didn’t expect my result. It is a surprise for me—I’m very happy.” All three podium finishers admit to liking hard climbs, and certainly with the combination of cold snow and high altitude, all agree that the course was tailored to them. Shevenko added that her hands had frozen and “tried to ski with speed to warm myself.” It was her kind of race, “I don’t like sprints” she said with a smile.

Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia visited the silver podium for the second time in three days, proving great ability in both skate and classic as she matched her 15km classic/free double pursuit finish from the opening day with Friday’s 10km skate silver.

“These are good tracks for the Russians,” she stated. “Our coaches prepared to come to Canmore as soon as possible for the time and altitude difference. It was a good idea to have training here.” Medvedeva thanked the town of Canmore and the organizers for a first rate race. “The track is the best for me. I like uphills, and to have the opportunity to make a contest, maybe like all my friends here, they like the different tracks too.”

Medvedeva was referring not only to the difficult climbs on the course, but the fact that Canmore trails still have natural snow, something all the athletes say is becoming very rare in Europe.

The podium seems to love Justyna Kowalczyk too, as she made her third trip in three days, this time for a second bronze. She won the opening 15km classic/free double pursuit and took the bronze in the 1.2 km classic sprint the next day. Clearly she has become the star of this World Cup, though she had doubts before today’s race. “I was starting slowly and didn’t feel good after the sprints [two days earlier], but the second half became better. The track was very good, very hard. I don’t like flats: I like uphills,” she added.

Kowalczyk also said she finished Tour de Ski with bronchitis and came into these races not feeling very well. “This is a very big surprise. I thought I was sick. It is amazing.”

Renner too was very happy with her results. “My goal was top 30, so I am very satisfied with 25th. The snow was slow and it was a tough race, but I was able to keep consistent speed.”

Arduser, who races for the state of Alaska and has not yet qualified to race for the U.S. was able to represent them here. “It was great. There’s been so much support from coaches, family and friends here. A bunch of Alaskans came out and it was really helpful to have them scattered around the race course. I was a little intimidated by the course, so it’s nice to have them with me.”

In addition to Renner Williams and Arduser, 14 North Americans skied the challenging circuit.
Results

1. Valentina Shevchenko (Ukr) 26:46.7 0
2. Evgenia Medvedeva (Rus) 27:17.0
3. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) 27:20.0
4. Sabina Valbusa (Ita) 27:28.9
5. Petra Majdic (Slo) 27:38.3
6. Astrid Jacobsen (Nor) 27:38.6
7. Olga Rotcheva (Rus) 27:39.0
8. Arianna Follis (Ita) 27:39.4
9. Stehle Evi Sachenbacher (Ger) 27:46.2
10. Larisa Kurkina (Rus) 27:49.8
11. Virpi Kuitunen (Fin) 27:54.0
12. Seraina Mischol (Sui) 27:55.4
13. Antonella Confortola (Ita) 27:56.5
14. Stefanie Boehler (Ger) 28:01.0
15. Riitta-Liisa Roponen (Fin) 28:04.2
16. Claudia Nystad (Ger) 28:05.6
17. Anna Hansson (Swe) 28:10.0
18. Katrin Zeller (Ger) 28:17.1
19. Kristin Stoermer Steira (Nor) 28:17.2
20. Alena Sannikova (Blr) 28:18.3
21. Natalia Korosteleva (Rus) 28:22.8
22. Ioulia Tchekaleva (Rus) 28:32.9
23. Magda Genuin (Ita) 28:41.1
24. Aino- Kaisa Saarinen (Fin) 28:42.9
25. Sara Renner (Can) 28:44.0
26. Lada Nesterenko (Ukr) 28:53.4
27. Marina Piller (Ita) 28:54.5
28. Coraline Hugue (Fra) 29:12.6
29. Laurence Rochat (Sui) 29:15.3
30. Maria Rydqvist (Swe) 29:15.6
31. Seraina Boner (Sui) 29:15.7
32. Madeleine Williams (Can) 29:15.9
33. Julia Ivanova (Rus) 29:20.5
34. Riikka Sarasoja (Fin) 29:20.9
35. Alena Prochazkova (Svk) 29:34.1
36. Tasha Betcherman (Can) 29:40.8
37. Daria Gaiazova (Can) 29:48.5
38. Doris Trachsel (Sui) 30:07.6
39. Kate Arduser (USA) 30:26.2
40. Evelyn Dong (USA) 30:27.0
41. Brooke Gosling (Can) 30:32.4
42. Masako Ishida (Jpn) 30:51.6
43. Katherine Calder (Aus) 31:01.6
44. Tazlina Mannix (USA) 31:07.0
45. Nicole Fessel (Ger) 31:12.0
46. Lindsey Dehlin (USA) 31:22.2
47. Rebecca Puiras (Can) 31:32.9
48. Jacqui Benson (Can) 31:46.8
49. Amanda Ammar (Can) 32:12.6
50. Shayla Swanson (Can) 32:52.4
51. Megan Mctavish (Can) 32:55.7
52. Kate Brennan (Can) 33:05.2
53. Emily Nishikawa (Can) 33:39.2
54. Karla Mika (Can) 34:15.4