January 7, 2005 – Canada’s Sara Renner and Devon Kershaw powered their way
across the finish line to the top of the podium in a Haywood Canada Cup
pursuit race in Canmore, Alta., on Thursday.

Renner, a two-time Olympian and Canadian cross-country skiing veteran, sped her way along the 10-kilometre classic pursuit through heavy snow to cross the line on top of the pack with a time of 36 minutes 28.7 seconds.

“It was quite a tough race today because I had to make first tracks in the
heavy snowfall,” said the 28-year-old, who has been the lone Canadian woman on the cross-country skiing World Cup so far this season. “This is my first intense race since the break so things were quite painful today.”

Thursday’s race marked an especially meaningful win for the Canmore Alta.,
native. Renner donated all of her prize money earned this week towards
relief efforts for South Asia’s Tsunami victims.

“I am donating all my winnings this week to a Canmore couple who are
raising money for boats as part of a Tsunami relief fund, so I am happy
that I was able to earn a little extra cash to donate,” said Renner.

Joining Renner on the podium was Dasha Gaiazova of Montreal in the silver
medal position, who finished the race with a time of 37:35:7. Tasha
Betcherman of Thunder Bay, Ont., rounded out the top three at 37:40:3.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 15-kilometre classic pursuit, 22-year-old Devon
Kershaw pulled out all the stops to cross the finish line mere seconds
ahead of teammate Chris Jeffries of Chelsea, Que. Kershaw, who will join
the rest of the Canadian team on the World Cup circuit next week, crossed
the finish line with a time of 38:43:5.

“It was a great race today and I got pretty lucky,” said Kershaw of
Sudbury, Ont. “Chris Jeffries’ ski popped off in the start and he
frantically tried to catch me from behind, but fortunately I was able to
out sprint him in the end.”

Jeffries was the next fastest athlete behind Kershaw, crossing the line in
a time of 38:50.6, while George Grey of Rossland, B.C., won the bronze
medal after clocking a time at 39:06:01.