March 4, 2007 (Sapporo, Japan) – Heavy favourite, Virpi Kuitunen, of Finland, did not disappoint her fans, taking the gold medal in the women’s 30-kilometre mass start at the Nordic Worlds on Sunday with a time of 1:29:47.1.

After a long week of racing, Canadians Dasha Gaiazova and Tasha Betcherman took on the challenge of the gruelling race, finishing 40th and 43rd, respectively. Gaiazova, of Montreal, stopped the clock at 1:44:21.1, a little over 14 minutes behind Kuitenen. Betcherman, of Thunder Bay, Ont., posted a time of 1:46:40.8, just under 17 minutes off the pace. These were the two best North American results. Caitlin Compton (USA) did not finish the race.

Finland’s Virpi Kuitunen, 30, won her third gold medal of the Championships, and her first individual title. In a fantastic race, Kuitunen took charge of the pace in the second half, eventually crossing the line only six seconds ahead of Kristin Stoermer Steira, of Norway. Fellow Norwegian, Therese Johaug cruised in for the bronze medal, +1:89 behind Kuitunen.

On her web site, www.dashagaiazova.com, Gaiazova, 23, relates her frustrations about the difficult snow conditions and problems choosing the right klister:

“The snow was really wet and super-slow and these conditions, combined with my slow- gliding skis made it for a very long and punishing 30km race. Many girls quit the race and it looked tempting to do the same and just give up the fight.”

“It was definitely THE hardest 30km race that I have ever done. It was also the most frustrating race because of how much time I lost on the downhills. I ended up 14 minutes behind the winner and many girls who normally should be behind me on the results list finished minutes and minutes ahead of me today.”

“Finally, I was really glad that I did not quit and finished the race regardless my slow skis and lost time on the downhills. Tasha Betcherman, the other Canadian woman racing today, had exactly the same slow ski situation and she too felt the same way as I did during the race.”

“On March 16th I am taking off again – this time it will be Canadian National Championships in Mont-Ste Anne, Quebec (March 18-25 ),” concluded the 23-year-old athlete.