February 5, 2010 (Canmore, Alberta) – More amazing weather greeted the throngs of fans and spectators at the Canmore Nordic Center on Friday for the first of competition of the 2010 Viessmann Alberta World Cup, the women’s 10km freestyle. The rock hard, 5km course was skiing fast, but two laps with nearly two full kilometers of climbing per lap, proved challenging for all competitors.

Sweden’s Anna Haag took the early lead, skiing strong on her first lap, but ultimately could not hold off her charging team mate Charlotte Kalla, who took the win in a time of 25:00.6 minutes. World Cup leader Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk was second in 25:10.3, Russian Irina Khazova took home bronze at 25:17.1, with Valentina Shevchenko of the Ukrain taking fourth. Despite a valiant effort, Haag ended the day if 5th.

At the press conference, Kalla explained her race strategy.“I didn’t worry too much about times on the first lap, as I was about eight seconds behind. I just focused on skiing well.” It’s Kalla’s first time racing in Canmore and she likes the hilly, challenging course, which fits her style of skiing. When asked how she felt about the conspicuous absence of the Norwegian team, she replied “It would have been really fun getting to race against Marit Bjoergen, but I understand why they’re not here.”

Kalla, Haag and the rest of Team Sweden will head to Mount Washington after these races, and then on to Whistler for the Olympic Games later this month.

The North American women were lead by the USA’s Caitlin Compton in 14th, followed by team mate Morgan Arritola in 23rd and Holly Brooks in 24th. Less than second behind Brooks was Canadian Sara Renner. Canada’s Dasha Gaiazova finished the day in 41st, with Brooke Gosling placing 54th to round out the top three Canadians.

Kowalczyk holds on to the WCup lead with Petra Majdic (SLO) in second and Aino Kaisa Saarinen is in third. Renner is the top North American in 41st overall.

Women’s full results here.
Women’s overall standings here.

Results (brief)

Women
1. Charlotte Kalla (Swe) 25:00.6
2. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) +9.7
3. Irina Khazova (Rus) +16.5

14. Caitlin Compton (USA) 1:18.8
23. Morgan Arritola (USA) +1:40.4
24. Holly Brooks (USA) +1:43.0
25. Sara Renner (Can) +1:43.5
35. Elizabeth Stephen (USA) +2:02.7
41. Daria Gaiazova (CAN) +2:10.1
44. Kikkan Randall (USA) +2:27.1
48. Kristina Trygstad-Saari (USA) +2:46.8
51. Madeleine Williams (Can) +3:10.6
54. Brooke Gosling (Can) +3:36.0
55. Rebecca Rorabaugh (USA) +3:45.3
56. Rhonda Jewett (Can) +4:02.3
57. Brittany Webster (Can) +4:06.02
58. Laura Valaas (USA) +4:30.2
63. Jacqui Benson (Can) +5:36.9
64. Rebecca Reid (Can) +6:05.0