March 7, 2005 – It has been four years since Beckie Scott completed a World Cup
season without making at least one trip to the international podium. The
Vermilion, Alta. native came another stride closer to extending her streak
into 2005 when she finished fifth in a 10-kilometre cross-country ski skate
race at a World Cup in Lahti, Finland on Sunday.

Known more for her sprinting prowess, the 2002 Olympic gold medallist
posted her strongest distance result of the season on the challenging hilly
Finnish track, after crossing the line with a time of 26 minutes 57.6
seconds, just 44 seconds behind the leading mark.

“I was thinking a lot lately about how to put together a good strong 10
kilometre race, and it all came together today,” said Scott. “I had really
good skis which is key, but was also able to be more relaxed and it worked
for me. It was a really good day.”

Scott sat out the first half of the season to better prepare herself for
last week’s World Championships. The strategy appears to have paid off as
she has consistently threatened for a podium spot. Her best result at the
World Championships was a fourth-place finish in the pursuit event.

“I think the break has really helped me this year,” added Scott following
the awards ceremony. “We have been on the road for two months now and I
don’t feel nearly as tired as I normally do at this time. Mentally I am
still there and ready to compete.”

Sara Renner of Canmore, Alta., who grabbed Canada’s first ever medal in
cross-country skiing at the World Championships when she won a bronze in
the women’s sprint, also hit the start line on Sunday. The 28-year-old, who
has been competing in Europe since November, finished well back of the pack
in 46th spot, after clocking a time of 28:48.7.

Julija Tchepalova of Russia won the women’s event with a time of 26:13.8.
Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic joined the Russian speedster on
the podium in second at 26:17.1, while France’s Karine Philippot grabbed
the bronze medal with a time of 26:40.6.

Four Canadian men also suited up for a 15-kilometre skate ski event on
Sunday. George Grey of Rossland, B.C. led the young Canadian charge after
finishing 34th with a time of 37:57.7.

“I’m definitely now there with the best and consistently knocking on the
door of the top 30,” said Grey, who has come on strong since January. “The
events now are kind of anticlimactic as our focus was always on World
Championships, but I still have some goals left to achieve before the end
of the season. I want to break into the top-30 in the distance events
before the end of the year, and I’ll give it my best effort next week.”

Other Canadian results included: Chris Jeffries of Chelsea, Que. in 67th
(39:19.7); Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont. in 84th (40:20.3); and Drew
Goldsack of Red Deer, Alta. in 89th (40:54.7).

Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic was the man standing on top of the podium
at the end of the day after setting the time to beat at 36:06.2. Austria’s
Christian Hoffmann settled for the silver medal at 36:18.3; while Italy’s
Thomas Morrigl rounded out the top three at 36:27.7.