March 13, 2007 (Tarvisio, Italy) – Canada’s young cross-country team is testing their mettle against the world’s best junior athletes at the FIS Nordic Under-23 World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy. Six members of the under-23 team took to the snow today, each looking advance in the warm, slushy conditions.

Perianne Jones, of Almonte, Ont., battled through an extremely tight field to make it to the quarter-finals of the women’s sprint, but missed the finals by just two spots. Jones ended the day in 15th-place, which was the top Canadian result on the day.

“It was a really tight race,” said Jones. “Overall I am pleased with the result, but my goal for the future is to be a lot more aggressive.”

Amanda Ammar, of Onoway, Alta., was also in the women’s sprint, but failed to make it past the qualifying round, ending the day in 35th-place.

Alena Prochazkova, of Slovakia, was the fastest sprinter of the day, taking the gold medal. Laura Valaas, of U.S.A., came through for the silver, while Piret Pormeister, of Estonia, grabbed the bronze.

The men’s team had an equally tough day, with none of the four Canadian athletes making it past the qualifying round. Brent McMurty, of Calgary, was 32nd, David Nighbor, of North Bay, Ont., was 35th, Christopher Butler, of Thunder Bay, Ont., was 63rd, and Phillip Wood, of Orangeville, Ont., was 66th.

“This has been a valuable learning experience for our group,” said Mike Cavaliere, coach, Cross-Country Canada. “They faced conditions here we rarely see in Canada, warm and slushy. It has been an eye-opening experience to realize how much work they still need to do on their double poling strength.”

Winner in the men’s sprint was Robin Bryntesson, of Sweden, followed by teammate Marcus Hellner, in the silver medal position. Matias Strandvall, of Finland, finished with the bronze.

The 2007 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships continue Wednesday.

Women

1. Anna Prochazkova, SVK, Final-A
2. Laura Valaas, USA, Final-A
3. Piret Pormeister, EST, Final-A
4. Natalja Iljina, RUS, Final-A
5. Sofia Bleckur, SWE, Final-A

15. Perianne Jones, Almonte, Ont., quarter-final
35. Amanda Ammar, Onoway, Alta., 4:01.50

Men

1. Robin Bryntesson, SWE, Final- A
2. Marcus Hellner, SWE, Final-A
3. Matias Strandvall, FIN, Final-A
4. Anders Gloersen, NOR, Final-A
5. Illia Chernousov, RUS, Final-A

32. Brent McMurtry, Calgary, 3:15.20
35. David Nighbor, North Bay, Ont., 3:16.10
63. Christopher Butler, Thunder Bay, Ont., 3:29.80
66. Phillip Wood, Orangeville, Ont., 3:31.90

For full results please click here.