| Cross Country Canadians Share Podium with Americans in Montana |
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Dasha Gaiazova wins gold, Shayla Swanson and Sean Crooks sprint to bronze. WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA (November 25, 2009) Canada's team of senior development cross-country skiers split the medal count after the opening day of classic-ski races of the US Super Tour in West Yellowstone, Montana on Wednesday. Montreal's Dasha Gaiazova stormed to the top of the women's podium after setting the time to beat at four minutes 52.39 seconds in an extended sprint course that rolled out along 1.6-kilometres of terrain. The unique sprint race did not include head-to-head heats. "It was really good today. I'm always a little extra nervous the first race of the season to see where I match up against the other girls so it was nice to see that my summer training has paid off," said the 25-year-old Gaiazova, who stomped the field by more than five seconds. "I worked hard on so many things this summer, but I think I was really effective in finding more power and building strength that I need to be competitive." Gaiazova, who is focused on qualifying for Canada's 2010 Olympic Team, was joined on the women's podium by Calgary's Shayla Swanson at 4:59.28. Sandwiched between the two Canucks in the silver medal position was Laura Valaas, of the United States, who clocked a time of 5:47.80. Meanwhile, Sean Crooks, of Thunder Bay, Ontario, was the lone Canadian to crack the podium in the men's race. The 26-year-old Olympian ripped around the long and flat course laid out in West Yellowstone in a time of 4:05.89. "It was an interesting race in that there were no heats, but the point of coming here is to get some racing in and build up for our Olympic trials in December," said Crooks, who represented Canada at the 2006 Games. "It was a good start to the season, and I want to build from it." While Crooks was content with his third-place finish to start the season, it was two American athletes who had a leg up on the competition. Garrott Kuzzy took the top spot on the podium after clocking-in at 4:04.11, while Simi Hamilton wrapped up the silver while crossing the finish line with a time of 4:05.39. Drew Goldsack, of Red Deer, Alberta, finished as the next best Canadian in fourth spot at 4:05.97. The US Super Tour, which consists of some the best cross-country ski athletes from across Canada and the United States racing at an elite level, continues on Friday in Montana with 10- and 15-kilometre skate-ski races. Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 51,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities, including those on Canada's National Ski Teams and Para-Nordic Ski Teams. Cross-country skiing is Canada's optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. |
