March 6, 2005 – Beckie Scott led the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team into the
final period of the World Cup circuit after finishing ninth in a sprint
race in Lahti, Finland on Saturday.

The Vermilion, Alta. native, who qualified for the round of 16 athletes
competing in the head-to-head heats also in ninth spot with a time of three
minutes 06.45 seconds, made it through the first round, but was knocked out
in the second heat after making a technical error.

“I made a little error and it cost me, but I think it is a good sign that I
was able to maintain my speed with the best,” said the 2002 Olympic gold
medallist, who added the conditions were cold and perfect for racing. “This
is our ninth week on the road and we are getting a little tired, but I
definitely want to podium at least once before we call it a season and I
have two more weeks to do that.”

The heats consist of four athletes in each race, with the top-two athletes
crossing the line first moving onto the next round. The finals pit the
top-four athletes battling it out for the finish.

Sweden’s Lina Andersson was the fastest woman on skis today. After leading
the pack in qualifications, Andersson sprinted her way through the heats to
the top step on the podium. Two Finnish skiers battled it out for second
and third place. Kirsi Voelimaa grabbed the silver medal, while Virpi
Kuitunen settled for the bronze.

Beckie Scott’s teammates, Sara Renner of Canmore, Alta. and Milaine
Theriault of St. Quentin, N.B., also hit the start line. Renner narrowly
missed qualifying for the round of 16, finishing in 17th spot, while
Theriault was 24th.

Meanwhile, Norway absolutely dominated the men’s sprint in Finland, not
only completing the podium sweep, but also grabbing the top-five spots in
the competition. When the battle finally came to a close, it was Boerre
Naess who came out on top. His teammates, Tor Arne Hetland and Eldar
Roenning, finished second and third respectively.

Despite narrowly missing the mark to qualify for the head-to-head heats,
Canadian World Cup rookie, Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., continued to
prove he is capable of sprinting with the world’s elite men. The
22-year-old finished 17th and was the top Canadian. Other Canadian men’s
results included: George Grey of Rossland, B.C. in 50th, while Drew
Goldsack of Red Deer, Alta. was 55th.

“It was a pretty good day for Beckie (Scott) and Sara (Renner), and very
good for Devon (Kershaw) so we are happy,” said Dave Wood, head coach,
Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “Beckie always likes to have a run at the
podium, but I think the entire team is getting a little road weary, so it
is difficult for them to be at their best at this time of year.”

The Canadian squad will wax up the skis again on Sunday when the men and
women compete in a 15- and 10-kilometre skate race respectively.