February 23, 2010 (Whistler, BC) – Veteran Sara Renner, 34, and youngster Dasha Gaiazova, 26, teamed up on Monday for Canada
“I know the effort it takes to win a medal and there’s not much difference between that and a seventh place,” said Renner after the race. “Dasha [Gaiazova] skied phenomenally well.”
Gaiazova gave it her all on the taxing course, but she admitted this is only the beginning. “I’m looking forward to many more exciting races in my life. I’m just having such a great time ski racing. The support we get from all the Canadians is incredible. What can I say? I think I have lots of in me and lots of hunger and lots of desire to push harder – hard for many years ahead. So, you’ll see lots of me in the future.”
The Russian-born Gaiazova now lives in Banff, Alberta and was proud to race with cross-country ski legend, Renner, who is about to retire from the sport after a successful career, including a silver medal at the 2006 Olympics in the Women’s Team Sprint. “I just cherish everyday we have her [Renner] on our team. It’s a real honour to race with her today. It was so special for me and I know that she skied her heart out and I just hope I can keep up and I can take over from her and make our nation proud in the future,” said Gaiazova.
Renner is excited about the final race of her career – the women’s 30k classic competition on Saturday – and she’s also ready for retirement. “I’ve been thinking about it for four years, and I’m really looking forward to the 30k. I had to leave her [daughter Aria] one night and she really didn’t want me to leave, so I said: “In a week, we’re going to look at tide pools in Tofino and no more ski racing,’ and she said: “That’s a good deal, Mom.’ And she let me go, and, you know, it’s time. It’s time to be with my family, and I think that’s extra motivation for me for the 30k.”
Despite her looming retirement, Renner plans to go out with a bang on what she hopes will be an epic day. “I hope it’s absolutely gnarly. I hope it’s raining and snowing, and I hope all the girls are freaking out on the start line, because that’s an advantage, because I’ve skied in those conditions a lot here.”
Gaiazova has another Olympic race coming up on Thursday. She will ski the first classic leg of the Women’s 4x5km relay on Thursday, then tag off to Perianne Jones, who will tag off to Chandra [Crawford], and Madelaine Williams will anchor the team.