March 18, 2006 – Canada’s Devon Kershaw and George Grey joined forces to finish seventh in a World Cup team sprint event in Sapporo, Japan on Saturday.

The Canadian duo, who have been blazing a trail on the elite international cross-country ski circuit this year in both the distance and sprint events, were in contention to solidify another podium finish throughout the race but were forced to settle for seventh spot in a star-studded field in Japan after crossing the line with a time of 14 minutes 59.0 seconds.

“George and Devon both skied very well today and were in the hunt the whole way,” said Dave Wood, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team, who added the two Canucks qualified for the finals in a photo finish. “I think their results this year haven proven they can compete with the best in the world and that is promising for our men’s program.”

The 6 x 1.5-kilometre relay consists of two athletes who both complete the course three times after tagging each other in the exchange area. The women completed a 6 x .8 kilometre track. There are two heats of nine teams, with the top-five in each heat advancing to the finals.

Grey, of Rossland, B.C., and Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., posted a best ever result for Canada’s men’s team last year in this event when they finished sixth at the World Championships in Germany.

Italy and Norway had identical times in the tight race to the wire, both stopping the clock at 14:46.0, while the German duo rounded out the top three on the podium at 14:49.4.

Meanwhile, Canada sent Olympic medallists, Chandra Crawford and Sara Renner, to the line in the women’s competition. The two Canmore, Alta. natives struggled with the difficult course conditions, and finished in ninth spot after posting a time of14:54.3.

“The girls had a difficult time today on the soft and slushy snow,” said Wood. “Chandra is a tough skier to beat when the conditions are hard and fast, but today the mild temperatures made it hard work and tough for them.”

It was the German team who came out on top with the gold medal in the women’s sprints. Germany I completed the final heat with a time of 14:11.5, well ahead of Finland II who crossed the line in second spot 14 seconds behind (14:25.9). Sweden II finished third at 14:26.0

The World Cup season concludes on Sunday for Canada’s top cross-country skiers with the men’s and women’s pursuit race. Olympic gold and silver medallist, Beckie Scott, will battle Norway’s Marit Bjoergen for the overall World Cup title. Scott and the rest of the Canadian contingent have enjoyed their most successful season ever which has seen them rack up a total of 14 World Cup and two Olympic medals.

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.

Complete Results: <http://www.fis-ski.com>
Top-5 Men and Canadian Results:
1. Italy, 14:46.0; 2. Norway I, 14:46.0; 3. Germany I, 14:49.4; 4. Russia, 14:50.2; 5. Estonia, 14:53.5
Canadian Results:
7. George Grey, Rossland, B.C., Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont., 14:59.0

Top-5 Women and Canadian Results:
1.Germany I, 14:11.5; 2. Finland II, 14:25.9; 3. Sweden II, 14:26.0; 4. Russia I, 14:26.9; 5. Finland I, 14:27.6

Canadian Results:
7. Sara Renner, Chandra Crawford (Canmore, Alta.), 14:54.3