February 22, 2004 – Canada's Beckie Scott kept pace with the world's best finishing 11th on a gentle, yet challenging, World Cup track on Saturday in Umea, Sweden. Canada's cross-country ski queen, who forms a one-two Canadian punch in women's competition with Sara Renner, of Canmore, Alta., crossed the line in the 10-kilometre classic cross-country skiing event with a time of 33 minutes 03.4 seconds, nearly one minute away from the podium in the field of 63 athletes.

“I was really happy with this result, and I had excellent skis today to help me ski a really good race,” said the Vermilion, Alta. native, who adds she'll need to step it up a level in shape and conditioning to get back on the World Cup podium. “I am satisfied with a top-10 out here on the World Cup, but I am always focused on getting to the podium.”

Sara Renner, who has been steadily improving on the World Cup circuit this year, continued to make tracks up the rankings. Despite a 24th-place finish (33:28.2), the 27-year-old was just 20 seconds back of a top-15 finish.

“The field is so tight out here, and the difference between top-10, 15 and 20 is a matter of seconds. If you want to be on the podium, you have to be on fire all day,” said Renner, who added the Swedish course was gentle in comparison to other World Cup tracks, but no set up at this level can be taken lightly. “I started hard and had a great finish, but I cramped up in the middle section and lost time. It is just a matter of being patient and it will all come together.”

Katerina Neumannova, of the Czech Republic, grabbed the gold in Sweden after posting the time to beat at 31:47.2. Two Norwegian athletes occupied the final two spots on the podium. Hilde Pedersen finished second (32:02.5), while Marit Bjoergen grabbed the bronze medal (32:10.6).

Two Canadian men also suited up in Sweden for a 15-kilometre classic event. George Grey, of Rossland, B.C., and Chris Jeffries, of Chelsea, Que., continued to match skills against the top male cross-country skiers in the world. The 24-year-old Grey was the fastest of the Canadian duo, finishing 61st (47:07.9), while Jeffries, 26, was 64th (47:24.5).

Mathias Fredriksson delighted the hometown crowd, winning the gold medal after blazing through the track in a time of 43:00.8. Russia's Eugeni Dementieu was eight seconds back in second (43:08.6), while Estonia's Jack Mae locked up third crossing the line with a time of 43:12.5.

The Canadian men will suit up again on Sunday for a team relay event before the entire squad gallivants around Europe for a busy week on the World Cup.

Top-10 and Canadian Results: Women 1.Katerina Neumannova, Czech Republic, 31:47.2; 2. Hilde Pedersen, Norway, 32:02.5; 3. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 32:10.6; 4. Gabriella Paruzzi, Italy, 32:20.3; 5. Valentina Sheuchenko, Ukraine, 32:21.4; 6  Ekaterina Vorontsova, Russia, 32:31.1; 7. Ainokaisa Saardinen, Finland, 32:34.6; 8. Julija Tchepalova, Russia, 32:42.6; 9. Oxana Jatskaja, Kazakhstan, 32:56.4; 9. Larisa Kurkina, Russia, 32:56.4.

Canadian Results: 11. Beckie Scott, Vermilion, Alta., 33:03.4 24. Sara Renner, Canmore, Alta., 33:28.2

Men 1.Mathias Fredriksson, Sweden, 43:00.8; 2. Eugeni Dementieu, Russia, 43:22.9; 3. Jaak Mae, Estonia, 43:12.5; 4. Frode Estil, Norway, 43:22.9; 5. Andrey Golouko, Kazakhstan, 43:39.9; 6. Andrus Veerpalu, Estonia, 43:43.6; 7. Tobias Angerer, Germany, 43:43.9; 7. Rene Sommerfeldt, Germany, 43:43.9; 9. Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset, Norway, 43:44.5; 1 10. Axel Teichmann, Germany, 43:48.7

Canadian Results: 61. George Grey, Rossland, B.C., 47:07.9 64. Chris Jeffries, Chelsea, Que., 47:24.5