February 20, 2003 (Val di Fiemme, Italy) – Bente Skari of Norway brought in her second gold medal in the 10 km classic cross-country ski race this morning as the second women's event unfolded at the World Nordic Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

In a time of 25:47.0, thirty-year old Skari stole the show for the umpteenth time this season keeping almost 20 seconds ahead of next place finisher Kristina Smigun of Estonia. Skari's teammate and long-time Norwegian veteran racer Hilde Pedersen got the bronze in 26:16.7.

Canada's Beckie Scott, who is showing fine form this year having just come off a silver medal race last weekend, had a fair day coming in 8th in 27:16.8. Teammate Sara Renner, of Canmore, Alberta, is moving up steadily this season and placed an impressive 16th in 27:30.8. The third Canadian woman team member, Tasha Betcherman, of Thunder Bay, Ontario, came across the line in 43rd. There were 62 finishers in the event.

The 10-day long Nordic Ski Championship, which also includes ski jumping and nordic combined,continues with the men's 15 km classic cross country ski 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.

Results:
1) Bente Skari NOR 25:47.0
2) Kristina Smigun EST 26:08.0
3) Hilde G. Pedersen NOR 26:16.7
4) Gabriella Paruzzi ITA 26:53.8
5) Olga Savialova RUS 26:56.7
6) Valentina Shevchenko UKR 27:01.2
7) Petra Majdic SLO 27:03.8
8) Beckie Scott CAN 27:16.8
9) Lilia Vasilieva RUS 27:17.1
10) Kirsi Vaelimaa FIN 27:18.8

North Americans:
16) Sara Renner CAN 27:30.8
38) Wendy Kay Wagner USA 28:40.7
43) Tasha Betcherman CAN 29:31.0