December 07, 2013 (Ostersund, Sweden) – Canada’s Dasha Gaiazova took her first Sprint FR victory of the season today in Ostersund, Sweden as she dominated the field at the Team Sportia Cup topping the qualifications and advancing smoothly to the final for win. Teammate  Chandra Crawford, who podiumed 3rd last weekend in Idre, came up short in her quest for the podium finishing 5th overall after qualifying 6th.

The victory is the team’s first of the season, and while it’s not a World Cup, the Canadian camp is smiling this evening with Alex Harvey’s strong 16th result as well. Both Gaiazova and Crawford are aiming for the Sprint FR race in Davos next weekend followed by a classic sprint in Asiago, Italy (Dec. 21-22) where Perianne Jones is slated to join the team as well.

“It’s great to see Dasha skiing strong as she prepares for the skate Sprint at the World Cup in Davos next weekend and then Asiago [Italy] the following weekend,” said Head Coach Justin Wadsworth. “Chandra is also doing well and will be at both venues, and things are also going in the right direction for Peri back in Canmore and she should be joining us in Asiago… so it’ll be interesting to see how she stacks up there too.”

Women’s qualifications here.
Men’s qualifications here.

Women’s final results here.
Men’s final results here.