January 24, 2009 (Rossland, BC) – Under overcast skies many of Canada’s best sprinters took to the start line in Rossland, BC as they prepared for the second of two World Championship team skate sprint trials. The first trials race took place in Canmore in early January. The top qualifiers Dasha Gaiazova (Skielite), and Phil Widmer (NST) both went on to win their respective finals.

In the women’s sprint finals Gaiazova cruised to victory unchallenged ahead of NST member Perianne Jones, followed closely by Laura Valaas of the US ski and APU Nordic.

Phil Widmer of Canmore Nordic controlled the men’s final from start to finish to claim first place ahead of Jeff Ellis of (APU) Mono Nordic Ski club. In third was local favourite, the hometown boy George Grey (NST) of Black Jack Ski Club.

Complete men’s results here
Complete women’s results here

Results (brief)

Women

1. Dasha Gaiazova (Skielite)
2. Perianne Jones (Nakkertok) NST
3. Laura Valaas (APU Elite) USST
4. Shayla Swanson (Foothills) AB WC Academy
5. Madeleine Williams (Edmonton) Fast Trax
6. Brooke Gosling (Foothills) AB WC Academy

Men

1. Phil Widmer (Canmore) NST
2. Jeff Ellis (Mono Nordic) APU Elite
3. George Grey (Black Jack) NST
4. Gord Jewett (Foothills) AB WC Academy
5. Skeets Morel (XC Okanagan)
6. Mike Argue (RMR)