August 23, 2009 (New Zealand) – Canada’s cross-country ski team begin their final tracks to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by participating in distance races at the New Zealand Winter Games on Sunday as part of an off-season training camp.

Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., led a Canadian sweep of the podium in the men’s 15-kilometre race. The leader of the men’s team clocked a time of 37 minutes 51.82 seconds. Ivan Babikov, of Canmore, Alta., was second at 37:56.36, while Alex Harvey, of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, rounded out the men’s podium in third at 38:23.02.

Sara Renner, of Canmore, Alta., also proved her summer training is on track by winning the women’s race with a time of 29:49.37. Renner was joined on the women’s podium by Brittany Webster, of Caledon, Ont., who finished second at 29:49.37. Chisa Obayashi, of Japan, prevented the Canadian sweep in the women’s 10-kilometre race by finishing third (30:16.46).

“It was a hard day with fresh snow last night and grooming in advance of the start of the race,” said Dave Wood, team leader, National Ski Team. “The team has trained extremely hard since arriving here in New Zealand and I’m pleased to see they still put up solid efforts and shows we are on track.”

Canada’s Para-Nordic Ski Team is also in New Zealand. Lou Gibson, of Langley, B.C., finished third in the men’s sit-ski category, while Jody Barber, of Smithers, B.C. was second in the women’s standing with a disability division. Gibson clocked a time of 32:09, while Barber was 40:57.07.

Canada is amongst a handful of nations competing at the New Zealand Winter Games including Australia, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. Athletes will also race on Monday and Tuesday.

Women’s 10km classic results here.
Men’s 15km classic results here.

Results (brief)

Women
1. Sara Renner (Can) 0:28:11.3
2. Brittany Webster (Can) 0:29:49.3
3. Chisa Obayshi (Jpn) 0:30:16.4

Men
1. Devon Kershaw (Can) 0:37:51.8
2. Ivan Babikov (Can) 0:37:56.3
3. Alex Harvey (Can) 0:38:23.0