| Ivan Babikov Cracks Top-30 to Lead Canadians at Season-Opening World Cup Event in Norway |
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Canada's Chandra Crawford makes first race start in more than one year. BEITOSTOELEN, Norway (November 21, 2009) Ivan Babikov led a six-pack of Canadians with a 28th-place finish in the season-opening World Cup cross-country ski race of the season in Beitostoelen, Norway, on Saturday. The 29-year-old, who lives in Canmore, Alberta, with his family, tested his summer training against the world's best Nordic athletes where he clocked a time of 35 minutes, 42.1 seconds in a 15-kilometre skate-ski race on slippery and icy conditions. Babikov, who is targeting to race for Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, received his Canadian citizenship two years ago after emigrating to Canmore from Syktyvkar, Russia. Babikov raced for Russia at the 2006 Olympics and is competing in his second full season with the Canucks. Four other Canadians joined Babikov in the men's field for their first World Cup races of the season. Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ontario, was next best in 37th spot at 35:59.5. Alex Harvey, of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Quebec, was 43rd (36:10.8); Graham Nishikawa, of Whitehorse, was 66th (36:46.3); and Brian McKeever, of Canmore, Alberta, began his bid to qualify for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the same year with an 80th place result after stopping the clock at 37:28.7. Norway's Ronny Andre Hafsaas captured the gold medal in the men's race after crossing the finish line first with a time of 34:42.1. Vincent Vittoz, of France, skated to the silver medal at 34:42.3, while Finland's Matti Heikkinen grabbed the bronzed with a time of 34:48.7. Chandra Crawford, of Canmore, Alberta, was the lone Canadian to suit up for the women's 10-kilometre skate-ski race. Making her first trip to the start line of a World Cup race in more than a year, the 26-year-old sprint specialist finished in 86th spot with a time of 30:20.4. Norway's Marit Bjoergen was in stellar form to take the golden spot on the podium in women's racing with a time of 24:48.3. Sweden locked up the final two spots in the medals with Charlotte Kalla claiming the silver with a time of 25:18.0, while Anna Haag was third at 25:25.0. The World Cup continues on Sunday in Norway with the men's and women's relay 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. Complete World Cup Results: http://www.fis-ski.com Top-5 Men and Canadian Results: 1. Ronny Andre Hafsaas, NOR, 34:42.1; 2. Vincent Vittoz, FRA, 34:42.3; 3. Matti Heikkinen, FIN, 34:48.7; 4. Petter Northug, NOR, 34:53.8; 5. John Anders Gaustad, NOR, 34:55.2 Canadian Results: 28. Ivan Babikov, Canmore, Alta., 35:42.1; 37. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont., 35:59.5; 43. Alex Harvey, St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., 36:10.8; 66. Graham Nishikawa, Whitehorse, 36:46.3; 80. Brian McKeever, Canmore, Alta., 37:28.7.
Top-5 Women and Canadian Results: Canadian Results: 86. Chandra Crawford, Canmore, Alta., 30:20.4
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