February 14, 2009 (Valdidentro, Italy) – Canada’s Sara Renner lead the North American charge on Saturday in the women’s 10km classic in Valdidentro, Italy placing 5th behind winner Justyna Kowalczyk from Poland with Italy’s Marianna Longa claiming 2nd and yesterday’s sprint winner Petra Majdic (Slo) taking 3rd. “That was great today,” stated Renner, who added the course was super hard with lots of climbs and downhills and few flats. “I haven’t raced for a while so I thought it could go either way today, but I just tried to enjoy where I am racing and I feel when I enjoy it I can push harder.”

In the men’s 15km classic race Anders Soedergren of Sweden won by just under two seconds over Jens Arne Svartedal of Norway. Both men had relatively early start bibs and had to wait as the bulk of the red group came across the line to breathe a sigh of relief knowing their times would stand. In third was Johan Olsson of Sweden just 0.3 behind Svartedal.

Ivan Babikov of Canada was the top North American in a tie for 12th with Matti Heikkinen of Finland. “I felt really good today and I really had my technique together,” said Babikov. “This is my best classic race of the season so I am happy.”

Kris Freeman of the USA had his best finish of the year in 16th, just days after announcing that he would be ending his season early for surgery March 3 to treat compartment syndrome in his shin.

Canada’s George Grey continues to have a strong season placing 20th, and World Cup newcomer Alex Harvey recorded his first ever top 30 placing 29th. Andy Newell (USA) started but did not finish the 15km race while Canada’s Devon Kershaw did not start as he has come down with the flu.

Complete women’s results here.
Complete men’s results here

Results (brief)

Men

1. Anders Soedergren (Swe) 37:58.0
2. Jens Arne Svartedal (Nor) 37:59.9
3. Johan Olsson (Swe) 38:00.2
4. Martin Johnsrud Sundby (Nor) 38:13.2
5. Tobias Angerer (Ger) 38:22.3

12. Ivan Babikov (Can) 38:40.0
16. Kris Freeman (USA) 38:44.2
20. George Grey (Can) 38:56.5
29. Alex Harvey (Can) 39:21.4
56. Chris Cook (USA) 40:00.1
70. Leif Zimmerman (USA) 42:15.4

Women

1. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) 29:37.4
2. Marianna Longa (Ita) 29:49.8
3. Petra Majdic (Slo) 30:07.7
4. Valentina Shevchenko (Ukr) 30:17.7
5. Sara Renner (Can) 30:18.7

33. Perianne Jones (Can) 32:33.3
41. Daria Gaiazova (Can) 33:09.9
42. Morgan Smyth (USA) 33:13.0
46. Shayla Swanson (Can) 33:22.0
47. Morgan Arritola (USA) 33:27.6
51. Laura Valaas (USA) 34:03.9
52. Elizabeth Stephen (USA) 34:05.5