December 12, 2009 (Vernon, BC) – Canada’s Dasha Gaiazova and Gord Jewett took a major step forward in securing their spots on Canada’s Olympic Cross-Country Ski Team by finishing as the top Canadians in the season-opening Haywood NorAm Series races at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Ski Club near Vernon, B.C. The event is also serving as the first of Cross Country Canada’s four Olympic qualification races.

The 25-year-old Gaiazova, who skied to two podium finishes at the US Super Tour two weeks ago, was the lone Canadian to crack the podium in men’s and women’s action, after claiming the silver medal in the women’s 10-kilometre skate-ski race with a time of 29 minutes 46 seconds.

“There was definitely lots of pressure coming into this one and I really wanted to do well so I’m thrilled,” said Gaiazova, who added race conditions were perfect with fresh snow, ideal weather and a fast course. “I dealt with everything great, stayed relaxed and skied well.”

With the Olympic qualifiers circled on her race calendar months in advance, Gaiazova, who competed for Canada at the 2006 Olympics, dedicated her summer training to building strength and power to find her way back on the Olympic team.

“This does not assure me anything, but it definitely puts me in a very good position to qualify for the Olympic team,” said Gaiazova. “I have been really strong in the sprint races so I put a lot of focus on this one. It was a great day and I couldn’t have asked for a better start.” Edmonton’s Madeleine Williams was the next best Canadian woman, and finished seven seconds off the podium in fourth spot at 30:31.

Holly Brooks, of the United States, was the fastest woman through the picturesque trails of British Columbia after clocking a time of 29:37. Rebecca Dussault, also of the United States, rounded out the women’s podium in third at 30:24.

Earlier in the day it was Gord Jewett, of Canmore, Alta., who made his first move towards securing his first trip to the Olympic Winter Games. The 31-year-old Jewett narrowly missed the podium after finishing in fourth spot in the men’s 15-kilometre skate-ski race with a time of 38:43.

“It would have been nice to beat the Americans today, but the goal was to be the top Canadian so I’m very happy I was able to accomplish that,” said Jewett. “The course here is phenomenal and flows so perfect. The conditions allowed for the strongest person to be the fastest and that is how an Olympic Trials race should be.”

While Jewett has not represented Canada at the Olympics, he has competed at a number of World Cup and World Championship events throughout his career. “Nothing is guaranteed, but this for sure puts me in a good position to earn a spot on the team,” said Jewett, who will not compete in any of the other trials races with his focus being on the 15-kilometre skate. “It would just be huge to earn a spot on the Olympic Team. All of us spend our whole career thinking about racing at the Olympics and it would just be incredible to be able to do that, especially an Olympics at home.”

Brian McKeever, who has won nearly everything on the table in Para-Nordic sport with his brother Robin including seven Parlaympic medals, began his historic quest to become the first winter-sport athlete to qualify for both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in the same year. McKeever, who finished in seventh spot overall, was the second-best Canadian with a time of 38:59.

The Americans swept the men’s podium with Garrott Kuzzy setting the time to beat at 37:35. James Southam grabbed the silver medal after stopping the clock at 38:24, while Matt Liebsch was third ahead of Jewett with a time of 38:27.

The Haywood NorAm Series, which is the premier cross-country skiing development race series in North America, continues on Sunday at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Ski Club. The remaining three Olympic Trials races are set for the Canmore Nordic Centre beginning December 19.

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 51,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities, including those on Canada’s National Ski Teams and Para-Nordic Ski Teams. Cross-country skiing is Canada’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually.

Full Results here.

Results (brief)

Women

1. Holly Brooks, USA, 29:37
2. Dasha Gaiazova, Banff, Alta., CAN, 29:46
3. Rebecca Dussault, USA, 30:24
4. Madeleine Williams, Edmonton, CAN, 30:31
5. Caitlin Compton, USA, 30:48
6. Tazlina Mannix, USA, 30:51
7. Nicole De Yong, USA, 30:58
8. Brooke Gosling, Calgary, 31:17
9. Rebecca Rorabaugh, USA, 31:21
10. Kristina Trygstad-Saari, USA, 31:24.

Men
1. Garrot Kuzzy, USA, 37:35
2. James Southam, USA, 38:24
3. Matt Liebsch, USA, 38:27
4. Gord Jewett, Canmore, Alta., CAN, 38:43
5. Brian Gregg, USA, 38:45
6. Bryan Cook, USA, 38:46
7. Brian McKeever, Canmore, Alta., CAN, 38:59
8. Kevin Sandau, Calgary, CAN, 39:12
9. Drew Goldsack, Red Deer, Alta., CAN, 39:12
10. Graham Nishikawa, Whitehorse, Yukon, CAN, 39:13.