December 16, 2003 – Canada's Beckie Scott sprinted back into familiar territory, finishing ninth at a World Cup cross-country ski stop in Val di Fiemme, Italy on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Scott, who was one of 43 of the world's top cross-country ski women to line up in the starting area, qualified tied for eighth in the 1.2-kilometre sprint, with a time of 3 minutes :03.85 seconds. Scott moved into the round of 16 women who competed head-to-head in four separate heats, with the top-two in each heat advancing towards the final. The Vermillion, Alta. native's quest for her first World Cup podium finish of the season came to a halt in a tight quarterfinal heat.

“It was an average day for us, and Beckie was satisfied with her result,” said Dave Wood, head coach of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “The sprints are a game of inches and it could have gone either way. We're back on track and will continue working hard to improve.”

The Scandinavian athletes continued their dominance of the Viessmann FIS World Cup Cross-Country Ski circuit. When 16 athletes were chopped down to final four, Kirsi Vaelimaa of Finland was the last woman standing, winning the gold medal in an exciting final. Hilde Pedersen of Norway sprinted into the silver-medal position on the podium, while Elin Ek of Sweden rounded out the top-three.

Sara Renner, of Canmore, Alta., the only other Canadian on the World Cup cross-country ski circuit, has been battling the flu since arriving in Italy, and was unable to compete on Tuesday. Renner and Scott will travel to Ramsau, Austria on Wednesday to get ready for the final World Cup event before returning to Canada for the holidays, December 20-21, 2003.

Results

1.  Kirsi Vaelimaa          Finland
2.  Hilde Pedersen          Norway
3.  Elin Ek                 Sweden
4.  Manuela Henkel          Germany
5.  Vibeke Skofterud        Norway
6.  Marit Bjoergen          Norway
7.  Madoka Natumi           Japan
8.  Marit Roaldseth         Norway
9.  Beckie Scott            Canada
10. Anna Dahlberg           Sweden