Ivan Babikov leads Canadian charge into Top 10 at Alberta World Cup, while Mark Arendz wins bronze medal at IPC Biathlon World Cup.
CANMORE, Alta.-Canada's Ivan Babikov fought his way into the top 10 in a 15-kilometre skate-ski World Cup race at the Canmore Nordic Centre on Friday afternoon.
Known as a "Bull Dog," for his pain tolerance, the Canmore, Alta., native powered his way up the grueling hills of the five-kilometre skate-ski loop to finish as the top Canadian in 10th spot with a time of 34 minutes 47.7 seconds.
"That was tough out there today, but I have to be happy with a top-10 finish," said Babikov. "It was great to be racing at home and have the crowd cheering for us so it definitely gave a little extra energy today."
Babikov, who is known as one of the most relentless skiers on the World Cup circuit, is in Canmore with the world's best in a final World Cup tune-up race before the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. "My legs felt a little bit heavy today, but I am exactly where I want to be one week away from the Olympics," said Babikov.
The Italian men are in prime form heading to Vancouver-Whistler. Giorgio Di Centa grabbed the gold medal with a time of 34:08.0, while Pietro Piller Cottrer finished second at 34:13.1. Dario Cologna, of Switzerland, skied to the bronze medal spot on the podium after stopping the clock at 34:19.9
George Grey, of Rossland, B.C., had a solid race as the only other Canadian cracking the top 20. The 2006 Olympian, who won a Canadian team time trial last week, finished 17th at 35:04.0. Meanwhile, Canada's Sara Renner was the top Canadian in the women's 10-km race after finishing 25th with a time of 26:44.1.
"I could feel it in my legs early today and that was really tough," said Renner, who is getting set for her fourth trip to the Olympics. "It was great to be racing back in Canada and the community has been so supportive of me, so it was awesome to hear them cheering us up the hills today."
Sweden's Charlotte Kalla won the women's race with a time of 25:00.6. Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk skated to the silver medal after clocking-in at 25:10.3, while Russia's Irina Khazova rounded out the women's podium in third at 25:17.1.
Dasha Gaiazova, of Banff, Alta., was 41st at 27:10.7; Edmonton's Madeleine Williams was 51st (28:11.2); Calgary's Brooke Gosling was 54th (28:36.6); Rhonda Jewett, of Canmore, Alta., was 56th at 29:02.9; Brittany Webster, of Caledon, Ont., and was 57th (29:06.8).
Canada's para-nordic skiers were also in action on Friday across the pond in Germany.
Mark Arendz, of Springton, P.E.I., continued to prove he is a medal contender at the Paralympic Games this March after making his second trip to the IPC World Cup podium this year. Arendz finished third in the men's standing biathlon pursuit competition under heavy, wet snow conditions that pounded down on the course all day.
"I felt really relaxed in the qualifier and it showed in my shooting by going clean," said Arendz. "It has been an amazing set of World Cups and it gives me a lot of confidence heading towards Vancouver."
Norway's Nils-Erik Ulset grabbed the gold.
Meanwhile, Canada's Jody Barber and Robbi Weldon also qualified for the finals in their respective categories. Barber finished sixth in the women's standing division, while Weldon didn't finish in the women's visually impaired final with her guide, Brian Berry.
The Alberta World Cup wraps up on Saturday in Canmore with the classic sprint races.
