January 17, 2004 – Canada's developing men's cross-country ski team got a quick taste of reality of what it is like to race at an elite level, while competing in a Viessmann World Cup event in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic on Saturday.

After a week of travel on planes, trains and automobiles, Canada's George Grey, of Rossland, B.C., and Chris Jeffries, of Chelsea, Que., headed to the starting line for their first World Cup event in a year, and only the eighth ever in their young careers. The two Canucks, who have dominated the Haywood NorAm Canada Cup circuit at home, will spend the rest of the season gaining experience at the World Cup level.

The 24-year-old Grey and 26-year-old Jeffries, who are core to the resurging national men's cross-country ski program, finished 56th and 65th respectively in a 15-kilometre classic event filled with the highest-calibre of cross-country ski athletes in the world. Grey posted a time of 46 minutes 35.7 seconds, while Jeffries was 48:27.6. Andrus Veerpalu, of Estonia, set the leading mark at 42:27.6.

“The World Cup is bigger, stronger, faster and it's a whole new world,” said Chris Jeffries. “Suddenly now we're competing against guys we look up too, and watch on television. It is much more intense out here and official. This is great experience for us as we prepare to take the next step in our racing career.”

With Veerpalu winning gold, Norway's Frode Estil captured the silver with a time of 42:49.4, while Jaak Mae, of Estonia, rounded out the top three at 42:58.0.

While the two Canadian men will continue to build on the learning experiences gained this winter in Europe, Canada's Sara Renner is looking to step up her performance in the second half of the season. But it wasn't Renner's day on Saturday, the 27-year Canmore, Alta. native finished a disappointing 47th after crossing the line in the 10-kilometre women's classic competition with a time of 34:56.2.

Italy's Gabriella Paruzzi was the top female on the day, battling her way through the sloppy course laid out in the Czech Republic, in a time of 31:17.6. Claudia Kuenzel, of Germany, grabbed the silver with a time of 31:25.3, while Katerina Neumannova thrilled the hometown crowd solidifying the final step on the podium after striding to a time of 31:30.5.

“It's been a tough week of travel and getting acquainted with the environment over here in Europe,” said Dave Wood, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “We just came out flat as a pancake today, but will continue to work hard to get better.”

For complete results of the men's and women's World Cup action, please visit <http://www.fis-ski.com/calendar/event.php?id=12187>.