January 15, 2005 – Beckie Scott picked up her World Cup racing career where she left off nearly a year ago, finishing in the top of the pack with the world’s elite after posting a 15th-place result in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic on Saturday.

The 2002 Olympic gold medallist of Vermilion, Alta., who took the first half of this season off to live and train in North America, completed the 10-kilometre free technique event in a time of 27 minutes 38.6 seconds, less than a minute behind the leading pace, in her first event since rejoining the Canadian team on the World Cup.

“I actually felt pretty good today despite the jet leg so I’m satisfied with this result,” said Scott, whose plan is to peak at the 2005 World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany in February. “My goal is always to finish on the podium, but realistically I want to be top-10 or top-five while I get back into it over the next two weeks. It was a good start and I’m happy.”

While Scott was back on track towards competing for a podium position, the rest of the Canadian men’s and women’s team, which combines strong veteran leadership and youthful potential, struggled to find its elite racing form in the first event since an extended holiday break.

Three-time Olympian, Milaine Theriault of St. Quentin, N.B., was the next best Canadian in the women’s event. Theriault finished 49th with a time of 29:48.4. Sara Renner of Canmore, Alta., who was the lone female Canuck competing on the World Cup before the holidays, finished a disappointing 52nd (30:06.9), while Tara Whitten of Edmonton finished 53rd in her World Cup debut.

The Canadian men also struggled on Saturday. Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont. was the top Canadian in a talented men’s field. Kershaw completed the very fast 15-kilometre free technique event competed on hard, packed snow with a time of 43:02.1.

Other Canadian men’s results included: Chris Jeffries of Chelsea, Que. in 67th (43:37.8); Dan Roycroft of Port Sydney, Ont. in 68th (43:48.4); and George Grey in 71st (44.06.8).

Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic won the women’s competition on home snow with a time of 26:43.8. Marit Bjoergen of Norway joined Neumannova on the podium in second at 26:51.5, while Julija Tchepalova of Russia was third at 26:57.4.

Vincent Vittoz of France won the opening men’s event in 2005 with a time of 40:12.8. Christian Hoffmann of Austria grabbed the silver with a time of 40:17.2, while Germany’s Tobias Angerer took home the bronze medal after crossing the line at 40:22.4.

The Canadian team, led by Beckie Scott, will look to rebound after Saturday’s struggles when they suit up on Sunday in Nove Mesto for a sprint event.

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 45,000 members are athletes, coaches and officials, including members of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team and Canadian Disabled Cross-Country Ski Team. Cross-country skiing is Canada’s optimal winter sport and recreation activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually.

Top-Five and Canadian Women Results: (10 km Free Technique)
1.Katerina Neumannova, CZE, 26:43.8; 2. Marit Bjoergen, NOR, 26:51.5; 3. Julija Tchepalova, RUS, 26:57.4; 4. Valentina Shevchenko, UKR, 26:59.7; 5. Hilde G. Pedersen, NOR, 27:04.0.

Canadian Results:
15. Beckie Scott, Vermilion, Alta., CAN, 27:38.6; 49. Milaine Theriault, St. Quentin, N.B., CAN, 29.48.4; 52. Sara Renner, Canmore, Alta., CAN, 30:06.9; 53. Tara Whitten, Edmonton, CAN, 30:26.0.

Top-Five and Canadian Men Results: (15 km Classic)
1.Vincent Vittoz, FRA, 40:12.8; 2. Christian Hoffmann, AUT, 40:17.2; 3. Tobias Angerer, GER, 40:22.4; 4. Jan Egil Andersen, NOR, 40:29.6; 5. Rene Sommerfeldt, GER, 40:31.1.

Canadian Results:
62. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont., CAN, 43:02.1; 67. Chris Jeffries, Chelsea, Que., CAN, 43:37.8; 68. Dan Roycroft, Port Sydney, Ont., CAN, 43:48.4; 71.George Grey, Rossland, B.C., CAN, 44:06.8.