January 21, 2008 (Canmore, Alta.) – Canada’s Olympic silver medalist Sara Renner is feeling energetic and ready to give her all at the Alberta World Cup in Canmore. “I am feeling really good and really happy to be 100 percent healthy for the start line,” Renner said during training on Monday morning. “The weather is cold but we like it, everyone else is complaining except us and the Russians.”

On Monday, Renner was working on her long distance race and practicing the exchange for the pursuit. She is happy to be home. “It’s so nice to be in town and at home with family and friends,” Renner said. “I get to see my baby everyday, get up with her and put her to bed. Thomas, (Grandi, her husband), is in town too and he will be watching me race.”

Canada’s Dasha Giaizova had a big smile on her face in the -20 C temperatures Monday morning and it wasn’t just from being frozen. “I feel awesome,” Giaizova said. “Training has been going really good. It’s cold, but it’s January, that’s kind of what it’s supposed to be like. It doesn’t bother me, I’m used to it all.”

Giaizova said the Canadian team has been training everyday, checking trails and working every part of the course. “We definitely know the course,” Giaizova said.

Renner and Giaizova will race in the Women’s 15km pursuit starting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The men race the 30km pursuit starting at 12:30 p.m., just after the ladies flower ceremony. Renner and Giaizova will also race in the women’s 10 km free, with interval starts at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25. The men race the 15 km free on Friday at 12:30 p.m.

The Canadians know how to stay warm noted coach Eric DeNys. “It’s okay if you dress appropriately,” DeNys said. “The course is in good shape.” The Canadians were training in groups, so as to keep the load off of the waxers and not send everyone in at once to get their skis noted head coach Dave Wood.

Canada’s gold medal Olympian Chandra Crawford said her training is going very well. “It’s cold here but the track is perfect and the snow is amazing,” Crawford said. “The last time we had the World Cups here I had only done less than a handful of World Cups previously so I didn’t appreciate how incredible it is to race a World Cup at home.”
Chandra said the organizing committee has been terrific.

“I’m really grateful to all the organizers and volunteers,” Crawford said. “Without them nothing would get done. The athletes really appreciate all of the work that they are doing. Everything is just superb at the Canmore Nordic Centre.”

For Crawford, skiing at home is a big bonus. “It is really good to race at home,” Crawford said. “I have really good support and encouragement here in Canmore.” Crawford will be racing in the women’s classic sprint races on Wednesday and the women’s free sprint on Saturday. Both races start at 10 a.m. with qualifier rounds. The men’s sprints are interspersed with the women’s races. The heats start at 12:30 p.m. each day.

“I’m working on improving my classic sprint,” Crawford said. “There will only be a classic sprint at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, so I’m anxious to work out my technique here.”

Crawford has heard good things about the Canmore Nordic Centre. “I have had a lot of compliments from people who are here from all over the world,” Crawford said. “They have been blown away by the facility here. It is the best in the world. We have such good trails, everything is perfect.”

Brian McKeever, who races as a vision impaired paralympian, will be skiing without a guide at the Alberta World Cup. “It’s pretty normal,” McKeever said. “I usually race 20-30 races on my own. It’s nice to be on our home course. There are perks to skiing on familiar territory.”

“It’s good because you know how tough it is and how much time you’ll lose if you explode,” McKeever said. “But you also know where to go hard and where you can relax. That helps a lot.” McKeever plans to keep his calm. “I’ll just try to relax and have a good time,” he added.

Brian’s brother Robin is racing his first World Cup in six years. “I am racing as well as being a dad, (to young son Xavier), and working with the disabled,” McKeever said. “I qualified for the two distance races.”

As for the weather, it’s strange, even for Canmore, he said. “It’s -27C this morning and supposed to go up to -4 by tonight,” McKeever said. “It’s slow skiing on cold snow but if it warms up it will be pretty good.”

The Alberta World Cup starts tomorrow at 10 a.m. with Alberta Premiere Ed Stelmach presenting the opening welcoming speech, followed by a flag ceremony with children on skis and the first race at 11 a.m.

Alberta World Cup Schedule

Tuesday, January 22, 2008
– 11 a.m. – Ladies Pursuit, 15km
– 12:30 p.m. – Men’s Pursuit, 30km

Wednesday, January 23, 2008
– 10 a.m. – Men’s/Women’s Sprint Qualifying (classic)
– 12:30 p.m. – Men’s/Women’s Sprint Finals

Friday, January 25, 2008
– 11 a.m. – Women’s Free Interval Start, 10km
– 12:30 p.m. – Men’s Free Interval Start, 15km

Saturday, January 26, 2008
– 10 a.m. – Men’s/Women’s Sprint Qualifying (free)
– 12:30 p.m. – Men’s/Women’s Sprint Finals