November 15, 2006 – Canada’s Devon Kershaw won a silver medal after crossing the line three seconds off the pace in a 15-kilometre Contintal Cup classic ski race in Finland on Sunday, November 12.

Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., who became the first Canadian male to win a World Cup medal in more than a decade when he claimed a bronze in a sprint event last year, was in top form in the distance event which included some of the top skiers in the world including athletes from Finland, Austria and Switzerland.

Kershaw’s teammate, George Grey, of Rossland, B.C., also maintained pace with the leaders finishing 10th.

On the women’s side, Montreal’s Dasha Gaiazova was 18th, while Olympic gold medallist, Chandra Crawford, of Canmore, Alta., finished 25th.

Finland claimed double gold on their home track. Matti Heikkinen outlasted Kershaw to the line in the men’s race, while Virpi Kuitunen won the women’s event.

Canadian Women Crack Top-12 in Sprint Race

On Saturday, November 15 Canadian cross-country skiers Chandra Crawford and Dasha Gaiazova both cracked the top-12 in a sprint race in Finland. Crawford, of Canmore, Alta., finished sixth in the women’s final of the classic sprint, while Montreal’s Gaiazova was 12th after qualifying in seventh spot.

On the men’s side, Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., finished 19th after posting the sixth fastest time in qualifying.

The Canadian men and women hit the start line Sunday for their final race before the start of their World Cup season, November 17-18.