November 21, 2004 -Canada’s Sara Renner and George Grey got off to a slow
start to the World Cup cross-country ski season, finishing 33rd and 63rd
respectively, in the opening event on the schedule Saturday in Gällivare,
Sweden.

Renner of Canmore, Alta., who is skiing on the international circuit without
Olympic gold medallist Beckie Scott until January, started the race well but
battled cold weather and difficult, slow snow conditions to complete the 10
kilometre classic event in a time of 30 minutes 18.4 seconds.

“I simply couldn’t kick into fifth gear today and didn’t finish as well as I
would have liked,” said the two-time Olympian, who is traditionally known
for her sprinting abilities, but is focusing on improving her distance
results this year to be in the top-20. “I typically start slow and get
better as the year goes on so I’m really excited to get another crack at it
next week.”

The 28-year-old Renner is joined on the World Cup by fellow Canadian George
Grey of Rossland, B.C. Grey, who competing in his first full season on the
World Cup after received a taste of it last year, cited long travel over the
last week as the reason for a tough day. Grey completed the 15 kilometre
men’s classic course in a time of 40:18.0.

“I have a lot of airplane stuck in my leg so I’ll need to get that burned
out in the next little while,” said the 25-year-old Grey. “This is the first
time I’ve been at the World Cup with no teammates so it is a little
intimidating, but I’m more comfortable and it will get better as we move
on.”

Norway’s Marit Bjoergen won the women’s competition after posting a time of
28:13.4. Bjoergen was joined on the podium by Estonia’s Kristina Smigun, who
captured second spot (28:14.5), while Finland’s Virpi Kuitunen rounded out
the top three after crossing the line with a time of 28:22.3.

Meanwhile, it was Axel Teichmann of Germany who claimed the first gold medal
of the season in the men’s draw. Teichmann, who set the time to be at
37:40.7, was joined on the podium by his teammate Rene Sommerfeldt in second
spot (38:17.5). Russia’s Vassili Rotchev locked up the final spot on the
podium in third at 38:18.0.

Top-Five Women’s Results:
1.Marit Bjoergen, NOR, 28:13.4
2. Kristina Smigun, EST, 28:14.5
3. Virpi Kuitunen, FIN, 28:22.3
4. Hilde Pedersen, NOR, 28:30.6
5. Katerina Neumannova CZE, 28:32.1

Canadian Results
33. Sara Renner, Canmore, Alta., 30:18.4

Top-Five Men’s Results:
1.Axel Teichmann, GER, 37:40.7
2. Rene Sommerfeldt, GER, 38:17.5
3. Vassili Rotchev, RUS, 38:18.0
4. Nikolai Pankratov, RUS, 38:22.6
5. Jens Filbrich, GER, 38:29.2.

Canadian Result
63. George Grey, Rossland, B.C., 40:18.0