January 5, 2010 (Valcartier, QC) – Stefan and Kuhn and Dasha Gaiazova stomped the field in a individual start classic cross-country ski distance race at the Haywood NorAm Series in Valcartier, Que., and are now ready to challenge their shape against the elite athletes in the world.

Kuhn, of Canmore, Alta., charged his way through the long and challenging 15-kilometre trek in Valcartier to clock a winning time of 43 minutes 55.3 seconds for his first distance victory of the season at the Haywood NorAms, the premier development race series in North America.

“It is always good when you win, but it was a tough course and you had to be more fineness today because it was so long,” said Kuhn, who added the 15 kilometres felt longer with slow conditions especially on the down hills. “With these conditions it was important to know when to make a move and not make a charge to early to have enough energy in the end and I was able to do that.”

Kuhn was joined on the men’s podium by Graham Nishikawa, of Whitehorse, in second spot at 44:08.6, while Calgary’s Brent McMurtry was third with a time of 44:18.8.

In the women’s race, it was Dasha Gaiazova who continued her dominance of the Haywood NorAm Series. The 25-year-old of Banff, Alta., who has stepped onto the podium nearly every time she has hopped into her skis this year in all disciplines, set the time to beat at 30:10.1 in the women’s 10-kilometre race.

Brittany Webster, of Caledon, Ont., finished nearly 30 seconds behind Gaiazova in second spot at 30:45.4, while Edmonton’s Madeleine Williams grabbed the final spot on the podium with a time of 30:58.5.

Gaiazova, who won three of the four Canadian Olympic Trials races prior to the holiday break, will join Kuhn for a series of Opa Cup races in Europe before returning to Canada to compete in the Alberta World Cup, February 5-6, 2010.

“I think it is important to do lots of racing and at a high level for sure right now,” said Kuhn. “I feel like I belong on the World Cup, but that is a tough go because we have such a strong men’s team right now. I have to keep racing and trying to prove I belong and then I’ll get my chance.”

Full results here.

Results

Women
1. Dasha Gaiazova, Banff, Alta., 30:19.1
2. Brittany Webster, Calendon, Ont., 30:45.4
3. Madeleine Williams, Edmonton, 30:58.5
4. Kate Brennan, Pakenham, Ont., 32:04.5
5. Brooke Gosling, Calgary, 32:07.3.

Men
1. Stefan Kuhn, Canmore, Alta., 43:55.3
2. Graham Nishikawa, Whitehorse, 44:08.6
3. Brent McMurtry, Calgary, 44:18.8
4. Frédéric Touchette, St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., 44:20.1
5. Kevin Sandau, Calgary, 44:29.1.