CANMORE, Alta. -Canada's Sara Renner wrote a dramatic final chapter to a remarkable World Cup career after winning the bronze medal in a cross-country skiing classic-sprint race minutes from her home at the Canmore Nordic Centre - a venue that inspired her take up the sport where she watched the 1988 Olympic Winter Games.

"To win a medal today is ridiculously unbelievable," said the 33-year-old Renner at the finish line. "This community supports people big and small and to win a medal in my final World Cup race at home, in front of my daughter and husband, I just can't think of anything more special."

Renner led the world on a remarkable trip under brilliant sunny skies through the grueling hills of the 1.4-kilometre sprint course at the Canmore Nordic Centre in the head-to-head heats.

After winning her quarter-final heat in the round of 30, Renner made a courageous move in the final slick corner into the stadium of the semifinal round to punch her ticket for a shot at the medals. Skiing on fumes, Renner fed off the energy of the nearly 7,000 screaming fans lining the trails of the picturesque Canmore Nordic Centre, to fight her way back onto the podium for the first time in four years.

"My legs were feeling a bit heavy when I got to the start of the finals, but when I heard the people cheering I just went for it," said Renner, who is the only Canadian to have won a World Championship medal in cross-country skiing when she claimed the bronze at a classic sprint race in 2005. "This will help our team believe we can do it, and we are going to ride this wave of momentum into the Olympics."

The podium finish, which is the fifth World Cup medal of Renner's 14-year career, is a dream come true for one of Canada's most respectful Olympians. After taking a year off to have her first child following her silver-medal victory at the 2006 Olympics with Beckie Scott, Renner returned to the World Cup with the goal of winning a medal in front of her daughter, Aria, who turned three last week.

"I knew what hill Aria was watching on, and could hear her cheering me on today," said Renner, whose husband and famous alpine skier, Thomas Grandi, was helping announce the race in the stadium. "It is full circle this weekend for us. It is my final race here in Canmore and Aria had her first race downtown yesterday on main street (at a fun community celebration)."

Renner donated her $5,000 in prize money on Saturday to Right to Play, an international humanitarian organization, which has two-time Olympic champion and Renner's longtime teammate, Beckie Scott, as its Western Advisor. Chandra Crawford also doled out $1,000 from her pocket in support of the initiative.

"When we have Right to Play on our chests, it's something that makes sense," said Renner. "Especially as a mother, it's hard to imagine a child might not have the opportunity to play. If ski racing can make a difference for kids who have no chance, I'm happy to do that."

Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk won the gold the medal, while Sweden's Ida Ingemarsdotter was second.

Renner was one of four Canadian women to reach the head-to-head heats. Dasha Gaiazova, of Banff, Alta., had a solid pre-Olympic tune-up when she finished 12th. Chandra Crawford, of Canmore, Alta., also had a strong outing finishing in 23rd spot, while Perianne Jones, of Almonte, Ont., placed 25th.

Canada also qualified five men in the top-30. While each of the five men had their quest for the podium halted in the quarter-finals, it was Calgary's Brent McMurtry who finished as the top Canuck in 19th spot. Stefan Kuhn, of Canmore, also had strong quarter-final heat, but ran out of power in his arms down the finishing stretch to finish 22d. Phil Widmer, of Banff, Alta., was 23rd, Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., finished 24th, and Sean Crooks, of Thunder Bay, Ont., placed 26th.

Sweden's Emil Joensson won the men's race, while Norway's John Kristian Dahl was second. Dario Colgogna fought his way back onto the podium for the second time in as many days, winning the bronze medal.

Earlier in the day, Canada's Para-Nordic Team had five athletes storm into the top-10 in cross-country ski distances races.

Saskatoon's Collette Bourgonje narrowly missed the podium after finishing in fourth sport in the women's 10-kilometre sit-ski race with a time of 35:57.3. Liudmila Vauchok, of Belarus, posted the fastest time at 33:53.7.

Jody Barber, of Smithers, B.C., continued her fast pace in the Paralympic season when she finished in fifth spot in the 15-kilometre women's standing category, clocking a time of 51:37.8. Robbi Weldon and Brian Berry, of Thunder Bay, Ont., finished sixth in the women's visually impaired 15-kilometre skate-ski race with a time of 51:17.1. Ottawa's Margarita Gorbounova and Robert D'Arras finished on Weldon's heels in ninth at 58:15.8. Ottawa's Alexi Novikov and Jamie Stirling were 12th in the men's visually impaired event at 1:09:06.0. Quebec's Sebastien Fortier was 22nd in the men's 14-kilometre sit-ski at 51:48.0, while Charles Moreau, also of Quebec, was 25th (58:36.2).

Complete World Cup Results: http://www.fis-ski.com

Complete IPC World Cup Results: http://www.weltcup-oberried.de/eip/pages/74_results_worldcup_200910.php

- Courtesy, Cross Country Canada