March 22, 2003 (Falun, Sweden) – Norway's Bente Skari stood on top of the podium for the 17th time this season after capturing the gold in the 2×5 km double pursuit cross-country ski world cup race held this morning in Falun, Sweden, while Sweden's own Mathias Fredriksson made his 6th podium finish of the year in the men's 2x 10 km event.

Thirty-year old Skari, who missed gold only once this year, finished the season's last world cup in fine form when she crossed the line eight seconds ahead of pursuing competitors in 32:30.2. Germany's young Evi Sachenbacher edged out Russia's Olga Savialova by .6 of a second for the silver in 32:38.0. Savialova, who collected her second bronze of the year, finished just ahead of teammate Natalia Korosteleva in 32:38.6. Canadian Beckie Scott, who claimed silver in Thursday night's sprint world cup, came in a densely-packed group to finish 14th in 32:49.9. Teammate Sara Renner, who finished 9th in Thursday's race, finished 33rd today in 33:18.5. There were 62 starters in this morning's event.

“It was an ok day for us,” says Head Coach Dave Wood. “Beckie was good in the classic, and Sara had a crash, which set her back a few places. Overall, the spirit is really good for the girls, and the boys are motivated to keep working for next season.”

On the men's side, Mathias Fredriksson dominated his event by nearly 20 seconds when he crossed the finish line in 57:17.0. The twenty-nine year old Swede was followed by Norway's Frode Estil, who took home his second silver of the year in 57:34.1. Joergen Brink, of Sweden, came in just over a second behind in 57:35.4 for his 6th podium finish of 2003.

Canadians George Grey, of Rossland, B.C, and Chris Jeffries, of Chelsea, Quebec, came in 65th and 69th respectively. There were 80 starters in today's men's event.

The Canadian Senior National Cross Country Ski Team is supported in their international racing pursuits by Haywood Securities.

CCC is the national sport governing body for cross-country skiing in Canada, servicing over 45,000 members in 375 clubs. The corporate vision: “It takes a ski community to raise Olympic medallists”, embraces the Association's focus from entry level club development to the enhancement of the National Ski Team program.

Results:
Women
1) Bente Skari NOR 32:30.2
2) Evi Sachenbacher GER 32:38.0
3) Olga Savialova RUS 32:38.6
4) Natalia Korosteleva RUS 32:39.9
5) Viola Bauer GER 32:40.5
6) Kristin Steira Stoermer NOR 32:41.2
7) Elena Burukina RUS 32:41.9
8) Sabina Valbusa ITA 32:44.9
9) Hilde Pedersen NOR 32:45.5
10) Virpi Kuitunen FIN 32:46.3

Canadians
14) Beckie Scott CAN 32:49.9
33) Sara Renner CAN 33:18.5

Men
1) Mathias Fredriksson SWE 57:17.0
2) Frode Estil NOR 57:34.1
3) Joergen Brink SWE 57:35.4
4) Rene Sommerfeldt GER 57:35.7
5) Kristen Skjeldal NOR 57:37.7
6) Jaak Mae EST 57:38.4
7) Anders Soedergren SWE 57:38.4
8) Lukas Bauer CZE 57:39.9
9) Giorgio Di Centa ITA 57:40.2
10) Andrus Veerpalu EST 57:54.1

Canadians
65) George Grey CAN 1:00:57.9
69) Chris Jeffries CAN 1:01:20.6

For complete race results: www.fis-ski.com