February 3, 2004 – Canada's Marcia Birkigt led a group of eight young Canadian cross-country skiers in her first ever international competition on Tuesday at the Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Stryn, Norway.

The 19-year-old Athabasca, Alta. native, who was the final athlete to qualify for the 10-member Canadian squad that is battling the world's best junior athletes this week, finished 34th out of 62 competitors that hit the starting line for the 15-kilometre women's classic race – the opening event in the week-long affair.

“This was the race of my life, and I am thrilled,” said Birkigt, who posted a time of 50 minutes 12.6 seconds. “I had no idea what to expect because this was my first international event. I am having a great time over here, learning a lot and just put together a really good race. This will certainly boost my confidence level.”

The day was not so bright for the rest of the eight Canadian youngsters (only eight of 10 compete on a given day) who plodded their way through slushy conditions that blanketed the Norway track. Amanda Ammar, of St. Albert, Alta., who qualified for the junior national team after winning a Haywood NorAm Canada Cup event in Kelowna, B.C., finished 44th after crossing the line at 50:54.2. The leader of the Canadian women's team, Perianne Jones, of Almonte, Ont., got caught in the slop, falling three times during the race, and finished well back of the pack in 55th (54:06.6), while Crystin Jaques of Edmonton did not finish.

Dave Nighbor, of North, Bay, Ont., led the way for the Canada in the 30-kilometre World Junior men's competition. The 19-year-old finished in 35th spot out of 71 of the world's top junior men after posting a time of 1:32:51.3. Brent McMurtry, of Calgary, was 42nd at 1:33.56, while Jesse Heckrodt, of Salmon Arm, B.C., was 62nd (1:39:34.5), and Calgary's Casey Dyck finished in 63rd spot at 1:40:08.5.

“It was certainly a tough day for our young racers who aren't used to these conditions and eight of them who are in Europe for the first time,” said Alain Parent, head coach, Canadian Junior Cross-Country Ski Team, who added eight millimeters of rain overnight made the course wet and sloppy. “We were hoping for a top-20 in the men's and women's events, but we had a tough time picking skis to suit these wet, soft and rainy conditions. It was a good experience for our team, and we're going to work harder on getting better as the week goes on.”

The Russian athletes were able to nail equipment selections, claiming the world title in both the men and women's divisions. Irina Artemova captured gold in the women's event with a time of 46:12.6, while teammate, Anatoly Neuchesov climbed his way to the top step of the podium in the men's event with a time of 1:24:32.7.

Two German women finished second and third. Antje Dittrich grabbed the silver (46:23.4), while Marion Ruf rounded out the top-three in women's competition (46:28.3). Curdin Perl, of Switzerland, won the silver in the men's field (1:24:44.3), while Franz Goering, of Germany, finished third (1:25:54.5).

Canada's junior cross-country skiers will make their way back to the start line on Thursday for the five and 10-kilometre skate skiing events. The Nordic Junior World Ski Championships continue until February 8, 2004.

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 two million Canadians participating annually.

Complete Results: www.jvm-stryn.no <http://www.jvm-stryn.no>

Men's 30 km Classic 1. Russia          Anatoly Neuchesov       1:24:32.7 leading time 2. Switzerland     Curdin Perl             +11.6 3. Germany Franz Goering           +1:21.8 Canadian Results: 35. Canada          David Nighbor           +8:18.6 42. Canada          Brent McMurtry          +9:23.9 62. Canada          Jesse Heckrodt          +15:01.8 63. Canada          Casey Dyck              +15:35.8

Women's 15 km Classic 1. Russia          Irina Artemova          46:12.6 leading time 2. Germany Antje Dittrich          +10.8 3. Germany Marion Ruf              +15.7 Canadian Results: 34. Canada  Marcia Birkigt                  +4:00.0 44. Canada  Amanda Ammar                    +4:41.6 55. Canada  Perianne Jones                  +7:54.0 DNS. Canada  Crystin Jaques                  n/a