February 6, 2010 (Canmore, Alberta) – The 1.4/1.7km Classic Sprints are on tap for Saturday, day two of the FIS XC Alberta World Cup in Canmore, as the world’s fastest skiers will be on the start line at 10am local time for the last test before the 2010 Olympic sprints in less than two weeks. All eyes will be on top North American sprinters Kikkan Randall (USA), Chandra Crawford (CAN), Perianne Jones (CAN) and Dasha Gaiazova (CAN) for the women, while Andy Newell (USA), Torin Koos (USA), Devon Kershaw (CAN), Alex Harvey (CAN), and George Grey (CAN) lead the North American men.

Petra Majdic (SLO), Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) and Arianna Follis (ITA) are all top contenders for the women while Hanna Falk (SWE) is also eager for another podium. For the men look for the Swedes led by Emil Joensson to be in the mix for the podium as well as top-seeded Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS). While Norway’s 2010 Olympic team is not at Canmore other top level Norwegian skiers are on the start line like John Kristian Dahl and Anders Gloeersen.

Women’s start list here.
Men’s start list here.

Course Preview – Classic Sprint