December 16, 2006 (La Clusaz, France) – Devon Kershaw and George Grey continue to progress their way up the international cross-country skiing leaderboards around the world. The Canadian duo finished 22nd and 37th respectively in one of the most punishing events on the World Cup circuit – the men’s 30-kilometre mass start skate event in La Clusaz, France on Saturday.

The world has taken notice of the feisty Kershaw, who is quickly developing into one of the top all-round skiers produced out of Canada. The Sudbury, Ont. native, who became the first Canadian male to win a World Cup cross-country skiing medal last year in more than a decade, has consistently skied with the top of the pack in both short- and long-distance races throughout the young season.

Kershaw maintained pace with the frontrunners down the monstrous nordic highways in France, which included steep and torturing climbs with long, winding downhills, crossing the line with a time of one hour 18 minutes 26.1 seconds.

“I was really upset about my race earlier this week so I came in with zero expectations and wanted to see what would happen. I had one of my top races of the year,” said Kershaw, who is four days removed from his 24th birthday. “For me the 30 kilometre races are absolutely gruelling and I needed an extra five kilometres in my legs today. You have to be skillful and calm, and not make a move that is going to be a wasted move. There is so much going on around for such a long period of time that it can be mental draining and you have to stay sharp.”

The talented Canuck, who wore bib 73, was able to tactfully pick his way into the lead pack after a blistering start for each of the 80 athletes entered in the field, far removed from the sedate openings more common to the 30-kilometre marathons.

“I started in row 11 of the mass start so I had to wade my way through quite a few people,” said Kershaw. “It is hard starting that far back. It is so chaotic and there is always people falling, and poles snapping, so you have to try not to waist too much energy in the start, but to see the people in front and search your way through the holes that are available.”

Kershaw’s teammate, George Grey, is also starting to find his groove on the World Cup. The 27-year-old Rossland, B.C. native, who is coming off his best ever World Cup result in Europe earlier this week, finished just under three minutes behind the leader in 37th (1:20:05.2).

“George would have wanted a better result today, but it is great to see him getting back into top racing form this week,” said Kershaw. “It is so important to be out here with George. We tend to feed off each other and build confidence from one another. Each race is so tight, and it is easy to get discouraged, so I think it is a big advantage being able to compete on the World Cup with one of your best buddies at your side.”

Germany’s Tobias Angerer won a dramatic dash to the finish line that saw the top 17 skiers within 45 seconds of the lead. One of the strongest skiers on the World Cup circuit, Angerer reclaimed his stride in France after claiming the gold medal with a time of 1:17:11.8. The German edged out Russia’s Alexander Legkov (1:17:12.4) and Eugeni Dementiev (1:17:12.6), who finished second and third respectively in a thrilling chase for the line that had the top-three skiers all within fractions of a second of each other.

Meanwhile, Virpi Kuitunen continued her superb start to the season with her first-ever freestyle World Cup victory in the women’s 15-kilometre mass start race in France. The World Cup point’s leader powered her way to the finish with a time of 42:08.8. Kuitunen’s teammate Riitta Liisa Roponen was second (42:09.1), while Italy’s Arianna Follis was third at 42:09.5.

Canada’s Olympic gold medallist, Chandra Crawford, of Canmore, Alta., and Dasha Gaiazova, of Montreal, did not start the race. Crawford traveled to Germany for a sprint race, while Gaiazova is resting with a sore throat.

The Canadian squad will now enter into the holiday break before taking part in the Tour de Ski, which is designed to simulate the Tour de France for cycling. The week-long affair starts December 28 in the Czech Republic.

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 one million Canadians participating annually.

Top-5 Men (brief)

1. Tobias Angerer, GER, 1:17:11.8
2. Alexander Legkov, RUS, 1:17:12.4
3. Eugeni Dementiev, RUS, 1:17:12.6
4. Anders Soedergren, SWE, 1:17:18.2
5. Axel Teichmann, GER, 1:17:20.3

22. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont., 1:18:26.1
37. George Grey, Rossland, B.C., 1:20:05.2

Complete Results www.fis-ski.com