February 6, 2004 – Canada's Beckie Scott competed in her first World Cup event on Friday in more than a month as she stayed in North America for the past five weeks to train and get back into elite racing form.
“I just needed to be in one place for more than two weeks, and get in some quality training so that I was comfortable out here again,” said the Olympic gold medallist, after completing a 10-kilometre skate ski competition. “I have a whole new attitude, and I'm coming back because I want to be here not because I have to be.”
The mental and physical break from World Cup action appears to be paying off. The Vermilion, Alta., native posted an 11th-place result after skating her way through one of the most difficult courses on the World Cup circuit in a time of 26 minutes 47.1 seconds. The La Clusaz, France course is loaded steep climbs, and on average, has more elevation gain than other stops on the Viessmann World Cup.
“This is an extremely tough course and I am very happy with my performance today,” said Scott. “I am off to a good start, and I will build on this result and continue to get better throughout the rest of the season.”
Sara Renner also suited up for Canada against 54 of the world's top cross-country ski athletes. The 27-year-old, of Canmore, Alta., posted one of her strongest results of the season in the discipline, finishing 25th with a time of 27:44.0.
“I was feeling really good today and was pleased with this result,” said Renner, who is known as sprinter, and has been enjoying a successful run climbing her way up the World Cup rankings since the holidays. “This is the shortest distance event in the sport, and I really wanted to do well. I realize it is going to take time to keep improving my results, but I am committed to getting better.”
Katerina Neumannova, of the Czech Republic, was the eventual gold medal winner, crossing the line with a time of 25:32.1. Russia's JulijaTchepalova was second with a time of 25:38.2, while Italy's Sabina Valbusa was third, posting a time of 25:42.9.
Two Canadian men were also in a field of 85 athletes participating in a 15-kilometre skate event on Friday. George Grey, of Rossland, B.C., and Chris Jeffries, of Chelsea, Que., were competing in just their third World Cup event of the season. The 24-year-old Grey led the Canadian duo, finishing 54th (37:13.4), while Jeffries, 26, finished the day in 74th place (38:34.5).
“Today was extremely difficult and I'm not happy with my placing,” said Grey, who has set a goal to be in the top-30 at the World Cup level. “I understand that each day for me is a learning day, and I have to continue to gain from this experience and improve.”
Italy's Fulvio Valbusa won the men's competition after posting a time of 34:06.1. France's Vincent Vittoz grabbed the silver (34:19.0), while Austria's Christian Hoffmann rounded out the top-three (34:23.7).
Canada's elite cross-country skiers will compete in a World Cup relay event on Saturday in France, while the Canadian Junior Team will also hit the start line over the weekend, competing in the Nordic Junior World Championships in Stryn, Norway.
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: http://www.fis-ski.com/calendar/event.php?id=12402