February 13, 2005 – Canada’s Sara Renner overcame a miserable Saturday performance, heavy snowfall, along with icy and slushy conditions to finish 12th in the final World Cup race of the season on Sunday in Reit im Winkl, Germany.

The Canmore, Alta. native qualified in 15th spot with a time of three minutes 17.09 seconds under disastrous conditions, which plagued the 1.5-kilometre German loop, which was good enough to advance her into the final round of 16 athletes.

“It was much better today and I really needed a good race heading into World Championships because Saturday was unacceptable,” said the two-time Olympian, who is also the wife to alpine skier and World Cup medal winner Thomas Grandi. “We’ve been training really hard and the team is tired, so I think we need to just take a couple of days and relax, get rested, and then get psyched for World Championships.”

Renner’s life in the round of 16 heats, which consist of four athletes in each race racing simultaneously, with the top-two athletes crossing the line first moving onto the next round, was short-lived.

“I finished third in the opening heat and was eliminated, but I was really happy with my performance because it was a fast group and I responded to the pace,” said the 28-year-old Renner. “It’s been a bit of a struggle since Christmas, but I have to be patient and learn from the tough times and dedicate myself to the process. I am focused and looking forward to World Championships next week.”

When the snow finally stopped falling in the women’s event, it was Finland’s Virpi Kuitunen who made her way to the top step of the podium. Kuitunen was joined on the podium by international speedster, Marit Bjoergen of Norway in second spot, while Sweden’s Anna Dahlberg claimed the bronze medal.

Meanwhile Canadian men’s rookie, 22-year-old Devon Kershaw, posted his best ever World Cup sprint finish. While the Sudbury, Ont. native failed to move into the round of 16, he did claim a personal best finish in 25th spot against the best cross-country ski athletes in the world.

“This was definitely a great race and huge for my confidence,” said Kershaw, who was just a second out of moving into the final heats. “There are seconds to be made up everywhere on the course, and I know that I can do that if I limit my mistakes, visualize the course better in advance and continue to have perfect preparation. I am learning a lot and definitely heading in the right direction.”

The Norwegian flag was raised above the men’s podium after Eldar Roenning claimed the gold medal. Roenning’s teammate, Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset claimed second spot, while Poland’s Janusz Krezelok rounded out the top three.

Other Canadian results on Sunday included: World Cup rookie, Chandra Crawford of Canmore, Alta., in 36th spot; Olympic veteran, Milaine Theriault of St. Quentin, N.B. in 45th; and Tara Whitten of Edmonton in 55th on the women’s side. Beckie Scott was ill and did not race. George Grey of Rossland, B.C. was the only other Canadian male to suit up on Sunday and finished 51st. Chris Jeffries of Chelsea, Que. also did not compete due to a foot injury.

The Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team will now head to Oberstdorf, Germany for the World Championships wich kick off on Monday.