Thursday, December 5, 2002 (Sovereign Lakes, B.C) – Nineteen year old Daria Gaiazova proved why she is one of Canada's top upand coming cross-country ski racers today when she came in second place, only thirty seconds behind American former Olympian Wendy Wagner in the 10 km classic Continental Cup race held at the Sovereign Lakes ski trails outside of Vernon, B.C.

Gaiazova, a native from Pouschino, Russia who obtained her official Canadian citizenship this past summer, has been an integral part of the Junior National team for two seasons. She has been steadily improving and is currently one of Canada’s best classical cross-country ski racers. Last weekend, Gaiazova took home one gold and one silver medal in the Canada Cup events held on the same Sovereign Lakes Trails. Her time today of 33:49 was nearly 10 seconds ahead of 3rd place American speedster Aelin Petersen, and a minute 30 seconds ahead of the next best junior racer, teammate Collene Mortimer from Orleans, Ontario.

Junior National Team Head Coach Alain Parent is pleased that two of his athletes placed in the top 10 among the competitive 46 women racers. “I am very happy with their fitness in these early-season races. For many of them it is even their first time on snow this year, so really I have no complaints.”

On the men's side, the 15 km classic event was an American medal sweep. USA team-member Kris Freeman dominated over his older brother, Justin Freeman, to win the gold medal in 45:55. Justin Freeman beat out teammate Andrew Johnson by over 25 seconds in a time of 46:26.

The top Canadian racer was George Grey, who out of the 96 finishers came in a respectable 6th place. Fellow Team 2006 member Chris Jeffries followed Grey by 10 seconds in a time of 48:11.

Grey, who also came in 6th place in the Sprint event last weekend at the Continental Cup in West Yellowstone, Montana, is not concerned about being left out of the medals again this morning. “I am feeling better than last weekend,” says Grey. “The World Championships in February are my big goals for this year, so these early races aren't a big deal right now.”

There were six Canadian men in the top 15 today, with top junior racer Dave Nighbor from North Bay, Ontario coming in 21st.

The Continental Cup series continues from Sovereign Lakes tomorrow evening with the popular Sprint event and again on Sunday morning with the skating race.

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.

For complete race results: www.sovereignlake.com/races/continental/index.html

For more information, please contact: Amanda Fortier (514) 528-6419 or (514) 971-3145, cccmedia@telusplanet.net or go to our web page at http://canada.x-c.com