February 26, 2004 – Canada's future Olympic cross-country skiers continued to make strides at the Opa Continental Cup on Wednesday, with two more Canadians finishing in the top-10 in men and women's classic events in Capracotta, Italy. Montreal's Dasha Gaiazova finished in eighth-spot in the women's 5K classic event, while Dan Roycroft, of Port Sydney, Ont., locked up ninth place in the men's 10K classic competition.

Dasha Gaiazova rebounded from a difficult start to the week to post the leading Canadian time of 15:57.4  in women's action, nearly one minute back of the frontrunners. Chandra Crawford, of Canmore, Alta., who is fresh off a silver medal result in the sprint events on the weekend, was the next best Canadian in 14th spot (16:08.5). Two other Canadian women also hit the start line. Becky Laakso, of Thunder Bay, Ont., was 24th (16:38.1) and Christine Bisson, of Montreal, was 27th (16:57.2).

France's Elodie Bourgeois Pin handily captured the gold in the women's competition after completing the course in a blistering pace of 15:00.5. Two Italians won silver and bronze medals at home. Stephanie Santer stepped up to the second spot on the podium (15:14.4), after narrowing out teammate Anna Santer at the line (15:14.5).

Italy continued their dominance of the men's event by sweeping the medals in the 10K classic race. Florian Kostern grabbed the gold (25:00.3), while Thomas Moriggl was second at 25:19.7 and Egon Hoffmann completed the Italian sweep in third (25:35.9).

While Dan Roycroft, of Port Sydney, Ont., led the charge for the Canadian men (25:56.9), four other Canucks were on his tail in competition against the world's rising young stars in the cross-country ski circle. Adam Kates of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. was 29th (27:05.6); Toronto's Gordon Jewett was 41st (27:50.5); Vincent Renart, of Orford, Que., was 44th (28:27.9); and Jonathan Blais, of Sherbrooke, Que., was 45th.

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 45,000 members are athletes, coaches and officials, including members of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team and Canadian Disabled Cross-Country Ski Team. Cross-country skiing is Canada's optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than two million Canadians participating annually.

Men's 10K Classic

Top-3 and Canadian Results: 1.Florian Kostner, Italy, 25:00.3; 2. Thomas Morrigl, Italy, 25:19.7; 3. Egon Hofmann, Italy, 25:35.9 Canadian Results: 9.Dan Roycroft, Port Sydney, Ont., 25:56.9 29.Adam Kates,  Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., 27:05.6 41.Gordon Jewett, Toronto, 27:50.5 44.Vincent Renart, Orford, Que., 28:27.9 45.Jonathan Blais, Sherbrooke, Que., 28:38.4

Women's 5K Classic

Top-3 and Canadian Results: 1.Elodie Bourgeois Pin, France, 15:00.5; 2. Stephanie Santer, Italy, 15:14.4; 3. Anna Santer, Italy, 15:14.5 Canadian Results: 8. Dasha Gaiazova, Montreal, 15:57.4; 14. Chandra Crawford, Canmore, Alta., 16:08.5; 24. Becky Laakso, Thunder Bay, Ont., 16:38.1; 27. Christine Bisson, Montreal, 16:57.2