March 31, 2009 – Following a very successful 2008-09 season CCC is already looking ahead to the challenges of a home Olympics in just 11 months time. CCC’s High Performance Director and key staff have begun their review of our capacities to deliver our key strategies for success next season. At this point in time as we continue to refine the plans that were first formulated post Torino in 2006, CCC has decided to end its World Cup Coach contract with Arild Monsen. We are very grateful for what Arild has brought to our 2010 targeted athletes this past year with his focus on technique, race tactics and work ethic. We sincerely thank Arild for his diligent and successful work in each of these areas and it is clear that these gains will continue to bring benefits to our athletes in the coming months.

This decision has been a difficult one at this particular juncture; it results from evaluating that there are some fundamental differences in philosophy that are in play. This is mutually recognized and our failure to resolve these differences has become a threat to CCC’s ability to maintain a sufficient degree of consistency around our 2010 preparations.

CCC will immediately engage in seeking a replacement for this position which remains key to our 2010 preparation plan.

As we prepare to launch our final push towards the 2010 Games we look forward to celebrating our successes in this challenging pursuit of international excellence.