March 11, 2011 (Sovereign Lake, BC) – Fast snow was a pleasant surprise on day 6 of the Sparkling Hill Masters World Cup as many competitors who took part in today’s races commented that their tired legs, from previous days of racing, were helped along by the conditions.

Catharine Pendrel and Nikki Kassel both made the most of the fast snow to lead them into gold medal positions in the 30km Freestyle women’s F01 (30-34) and F02 (35-39) races. Pendrel (1:35:07.6) won her category with a lead of 5:59 and Kassel (1:28:18.0) with a lead of 2:59.

“I had a good day on the skis,” said Pendrel. “I pushed hard, but wasn’t able to go as fast as I had hoped so it was very nice to know the two women that put around 10 minutes into me were Olympic Nordic skiers twice.”

But the fastest women in today’s 30km freestyle was American Laura McCabe with a time of 1:22:5 followed by fellow Yank, Leslie Hall, with the time of 1:26. Hall won the F04 (45-50) category. Trina Hosmer added more US gold taking first place in the women’s (65-70) category.

Hosmer competed at the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo Japan.  “It was amazing conditions today. The snow was very fast,” said Hosmer, “I knew I was tired, and I just had to ski it and hoped I would do ok.”

The fastest time in the men’s 45km freestyle race was by veteran Canadian former National team member, Donald Farley, finishing in 1:55:50. The top finisher across the line in the men’s 45km freestyle 55-60 category was Guido Masiero (Italy). He had a good race and thought that maybe the other competitors were tired commenting that the course was a “…very good environment. The hills were hard.”

Canada’s Alfred Parsons from Newfoundland won gold in the 60-65 category while Kent Murdoch (USA) took first in the men’s 45-49 freestyle 45km race.

Full results HERE.