February 14, 2005 – The Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team struggled to find its best racing legs during their first World Cup event after a two-week intensive training camp in preparation for next week’s World Championships in Reit im Winkl, Germany on Saturday.

Despite a dismal performance from the team as a whole, George Grey of Rossland, B.C. finished just two minutes back of the frontrunners, and top Canuck, in 45th spot out of 91 of the world’s best athletes to hit the start line in the men’s 15 kilometre free technique race, with a time of 38 minutes 13.0 seconds.

“It was a tough couple of weeks of training and I just need to unload some of the fatigue, but it is coming together and my times are not that far off the lead,” said the 25-year-old World Cup rookie whose best finish on the World Cup is 35th. “I am on track with where I want to be. Ideally, my placing would be within the top-30, but I’m continuing to improve and I am excited for World Championships.”

Grey, and the rest of the Canadian squad battled dense fog and a saturated track on the rolling five-kilometre loop. Dan Roycroft of Port Sydney, Ont. was the only other Canadian male to suit up and finished 77th with a time of 39:48.3

Slovakia’s Martin Bajcicak set the time to beat in the men’s division at 36:13.6 to take home the gold medal, while Italy’s Giorgio Di Centa was second at 36:34.9 and Austria’s Christian Hoffmann was third at 36:35.7.

The German course may have had steady climbs, but the Canadian women came out flat in their 10 kilometre free technique race on Saturday. Sara Renner of Canmore, Alta. finished 52nd with a time of 28:13.3, while Milaine Theriault of St. Quentin, N.B. was 54th (28:21.0), and Tara Whitten of Edmonton was 68th at 29:00.6. Olympic gold medallist, Beckie Scott, was ill and did not compete.

The Russians swept the women’s podium in a tight World Cup battle. Teammates Evgenia Medvedeva-Abruzova and Olga Savialova crossed the line in identical times of 25:36.0 to share top spot on the podium. Fellow countryman, Julija Tchepalova was just one second behind her teammates to solidify the bronze medal with a time of 25:37.8.

“I think we just came out a bit flat today and weren’t in our top shape, but we’re looking good heading into World Championships,” said Dave Wood, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “Our training has been going well and we just need to find some extra energy.”

The Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team will have a sprint competition on Sunday in Reit im Winkl before heading to Oberstdorf, Germany for the World Championships.