January 15, 2005 – Beckie Scott will lead one of the strongest Canadian cross-country ski teams ever assembled when the Vermilion, Alta. native makes her return to the World Cup circuit this weekend, with nine other Canucks, as they begin their final march towards the 2005 World Championships to be held in Oberstdorf, Germany in February.

Scott, who spent the first half of the season training and competing at home in North America, will rejoin the national team that includes longstanding World Cup comrade, Sara Renner of Canmore, Alta., and World Cup rookie, George Grey of Rossland, B.C. when the Canadian team hits the start line for a race this weekend, January 14-16, in Nove Mesto, CZE.

“I am excited to get back and compete,” said Scott, the 2002 Olympic gold medallist. “The time I took off has been a really good rest for me and my training sessions have gone extremely well. I am confident that I am prepared to compete on the World Cup once again.”

Three-time Olympian, Milaine Theriault of St. Quentin, N.B., will also rejoin the powerful women’s team on the international stage after dominating the Haywood NorAm Canada Cup circuit this season. The three Canadian veterans on the women’s side will be joined by a gifted duo being counted on to lead the women’s Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team into the future. Chandra Crawford of Canmore, Alta., who is quickly developing into one of the country’s most prolific cross-country ski sprinters, will make her debut on the World Cup with fellow rookie Tara Whitten of Edmonton this weekend.

George Grey will welcome the company of his Canadian teammates on the men’s start line at World Cup competitions for the duration of the season. The national men’s team, which has the most depth and potential in the last decade, will include: Chris Jeffries of Chelsea, Que., who dominated the World Championship trials and is eager to make his mark back on the World Cup; Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., who has been close on the heels of Jeffries all season, will also return to the World Cup stage after getting a taste of international racing as a rookie last season; while Dan Roycroft of Port Sydney, Ont., and Gord Jewett of Toronto will continue to gain valuable experience as they compete against the world’s elite. Jewett, who is recovering from injury will join the team in Europe next week.

“This is a unique group of athletes that combines veteran leaders such as Beckie Scott, Sara Renner and Milaine Theriault with a group of talented youngsters anxious to make their mark and compete against the world’s best,” said Bruce Jeffries, executive director, Cross Country Canada. “This year’s selection for the World Championships was extremely competitive, which testifies to the talent pool of athletes we now have in our Canadian system. This is an important step towards the 2006 Olympics, so we are expecting to see improved World Cup performances from every skier.”

In addition to naming the athletes who will compete on the World Cup, and at the World Championships, Cross Country Canada also made selections for athletes to represent Canada at the Under-23 World Championships and OPA Continental Cup events. Selections were made from race results at five Haywood NorAm competitions in December.

The following is a complete breakdown of athletes who will represent Canada at the various international competitions over the next three months.

World Cup: January – March, 2004

Women

-Beckie Scott Vermilion, Alta.

-Sara Renner Canmore, Alta.

-Milaine Theriault St. Quentin, N.B.

-Tara Whitten Edmonton, Alta.

-Chandra Crawford Canmore, Alta.

Men

-George Grey Rossland B.C.

-Chris Jeffries Chelsea, Que.

-Devon Kershaw Sudbury, Ont.

-Dan Roycroft Port Sydney, Ont.

-Gord Jewett Toronto, Ont.

Under-23 World Championships/ OPA Continental Cup

-Women

-Dasha Gaiazova Montreal, Que.

-Madeleine Williams Edmonton, Alta.

Men

-Adam Kates Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

-Drew Goldsack Red Deer, Alta.

-Dave Nighbor North Bay, Ont.

-Graham Nishikawa Whitehorse, Yukon