Cindy Klassen

Two world records for Winnipeg’s Cindy Klassen at world championship qualifier.
(Canadian Sport News)

SALT LAKE CITY-Cindy Klassen’s amazing comeback season reached a new level on Sunday as she broke two world records at the long track speed skating North American world championship qualifier.

The Winnipeg native, who missed most of last season after suffering a serious arm injury in training, won the women’s 1,500-metres in 1:53.87 to eclipse the previous world mark of 1:54.02 set by Germany’s Anni Friesinger at the 2002 Olympics at the same venue.

‘’I never expected the record, I was just hoping to go faster than I did in Calgary a couple of weeks ago at the nationals,’’ said Klassen, 25, who won Olympic bronze here in 2002 in the 3,000. ‘’I knew something was up after my first full lap when I saw how exited the coaches were with my start. I’ve never seen them like that before, it was actually kind of funny. But the first lap was the key to the race because I kind of died at the end.’’

Klassen also beat her own world total points mark with 159.605 points over the four races this weekend. She also won the 500 and 3,000 metre races on Saturday and was also second in the 5,000 Sunday. Her previous best was 159.723 set here in 2003 at the same competition.

Clara Hughes of Winnipeg won the 5,000 finale on Sunday in 7:03.03 to finish second overall at 163.955 and Kristina Groves of Ottawa, second in the 1,500, completed the Canadian medal sweep finishing third overall at 165.225.

Klassen, Hughes and Groves qualify for the all around worlds next month in Moscow. In addition Klassen is preparing for the world sprints here in two weeks. In 2003, Klassen won the all around world title and was second at the world sprints.

‘’I don’t think I can be considered the favourite for the all around worlds based on today’s showing,’’ said Klassen. ‘’You don’t know how the European and Asian
skaters would have fared if they were here. All I know is my training is going well and I’m hoping I can maintain this kind of pace for the rest of the season. It’s going to probably be a different ice situation in Moscow so I was happy to get these kind of times here.’’

On the men’s side American Shani Davis duplicated Klassen’s feat with world marks in the 1,500 and for the overall points total. In the 1,500 he clocked 1:43.33 to eclipse the 1:43.95 established by compatriot Derek Parra here at the 2002 Games. His point total of 149.359 broke American Chad Hedrick’s mark of 150.478 set at the worlds last year in Norway.

KC Boutiette of the U.S., was second overall at 152.674 and Steven Elm of Red Deer, Alta., third at 152.674 highlighted by third spot in the 1,500.

World junior champion Justin Warsylewicz of Regina was fourth overall, Arne Dankers of Calgary sixth, Philippe Marois of Ste-Foy, Que., eighth. Elm, Dankers and Marois are Canada’s entries for the worlds. Warsylewicz will look to defend his world junior title. Dankers posted a personal best in the 10,000 clocking 13:56.99 for third spot.

Deidra Dionne

Last minute decision lands Dionne on World Cup podium!
(Freestyle Skiing Release)

MONT-TREMBLANT, Quebec - After undergoing surgery three weeks ago to repair her left ankle, aerialist Deidra Dionne of Red Deer, Alta., didn't even know if she'd be competing Sunday.

After deciding to compete just one day before today’s competition, Dionne shook off some post-surgery pain to somersault her way to a bronze medal in the Ericsson Freestyle Grand Prix on the FIS World Cup circuit.

Lydia Ierodiaconou of Australia was the dominant performer, with a winning score of 194.18, while Nina Li of China was second in 180.34 and Dionne, 22, scored 180.34.

The degree of difficulty in Dionne's jumps accelerated during training late in the week, before she tried two of her toughest jumps -- different kinds of triple-twisters -- in Sunday's World Cup event. "It's a little bit painful, but it's a good pain because I know the surgery's going to make it better," said the 2002 Olympic bronze medallist, who had bone chips and scar tissue removed.

"It's nice to be back," added Dionne, who next weekend competes in Lake Placid where she injured the ankle last year. However, she has competed well there, with a fourth place last year and a bronze medal in 2002.

Veronika Bauer of Toronto also reached the 10-skier women's aerials final, before placing sixth with a two-jump score of 168.91. Amber Peterson of Thunder Bay emerged 11th with a one-jump score of 78.90, while Melissa Prefontaine of Grande Prairie, Alta., was 20th in 70.87.

For the second straight day, the Americans swept the men's podium positions. Saturday it was in moguls, Sunday in aerials with winner Ryan St-Onge scoring an easy win with a score of 242.32, followed by Jeret Peterson with a score of 232.73 and Joe Pack with 226.95.

Last season's World Cup overall aerials champion, Steve Omischl of North Bay, emerged fifth despite excellent pre-competition training. His score was 221.77. "I'm pretty happy as long as I can build momentum and keep getting better every week. This is the best training I’ve ever done, so I’m not worried." said Omischl, 27. "I just have to put those jumps down in competition. It's just a matter of getting the rust off," said Omischl, whose last contest was a September World Cup in Australia.

It was an off-day for several jumpers, including 2002 Olympic champion Ales Valenta, who finished 17th. The other Canadian men's finalist was Warren Shouldice of Calgary who placed sixth with a score of 220.27. Jeff Bean of Ottawa just missed the ten competitor men's final. In his first contest since breaking his neck in September, he finished 11th. Ryan Snow of Calgary was 21st, Ryan Blais of Grande Prairie 25th, Kyle Nissen of Calgary 27th, Manuel Holden of North Bay 31st and Cord Spero of Grande Prairie 33rd.

Lindsay Alcock stomps field, Paul Boehm knocks off world champ at 2005 skeleton nationals.
(CODA Release)

Calgary-Lindsay Alcock proved she owns the Calgary track when she handily slid to her second consecutive national title, while Paul Boehm knocked off the reigning World Champ to win his first ever national crown at the 2005 Visa Canadian Skeleton Championships in Calgary on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Alcock of Calgary stomped the field by more than one second after posting the two fastest runs on the day, clocking a combined time of 1:57.91 despite slow track conditions due to heavy snow fall and cold weather which rolled through the Calgary area. "This was a great day, and I am extremely pleased with both of my runs today," said Alcock, who claimed her first ever World Cup victory on the Calgary track two years ago. "I want to capture this moment and remember these runs for when we come back here next month and compete for the World Championships."

The next fastest Canadian woman was 24-year-old Mellisa Hollingsworth with a two-run time of 1:59.39. The Eckville, Alta. native has consistently improved on the international circuit, and won her first World Cup medal of the season prior to the holiday break. Michelle Kelly of Grand Prairie, Alta. took home the bronze medal in women's action. The 2003 World Champion posted a combined time of 1:59.97.

Meanwhile, Calgary's Paul Boehm knocked off the reigning World Champion to claim his first national title in the men's competition. The 30-year-old Boehm also posted the quickest two runs of the day for a combined time of 1:55.12 en route to taking the top step of the podium.

"I am just shocked to come out on top," said Boehm immediately following the race. "It is such a huge boost of confidence for me to win and to beat Duff (Gibson) who is really the best slider in the world. I can't wait to get back on this track here for World Championships in February, but we have a couple of more races in Europe before then, and I hope to build on this performance today."

Duff Gibson, 38, of Calgary, also had two strong runs on Saturday to move into the silver medal position (1:55.37). Keith Loach of Calgary rounded out the top-three on the men's side with a time of 1:56.60. Jeff Pain of Calgary, who has already won three World Cup medals this season, is recovering from a hamstring injury and was a forerunner for today's event.

The Canadian Skeleton Team will head to Europe on Sunday for two more World Cup events before heading back to Calgary to host the 2005 Skeleton Championships.

Shona Rubens

Calgary’s Shona Rubens unstoppable on Pontiac GMC Cup circuit.
(Canadian Sport News)

KANANASKIS, Alta.- Shona Rubens continued her amazing string of success on the Pontiac GMC Cup circuit Sunday with another victory in the women’s slalom while Dustin McLeay of Calgary savored his first victory this season in the men’s race.

Rubens registered her fifth win in six races this season clocking a two run time of 2:02.98 under sunny but cold conditions at Nakiska Mountain. Taryn O’Flynn of Beaumont, Alta., took second spot in 2:04.09 and Carmel McElroy of Calgary was third in 2:05.48.

‘’I can’t believe how well I’m doing this year,’’ said Rubens, 18, who raced part-time last season to complete high school. ‘’I watch the other girls race and I’m surprised that I’m going faster than them. I don’t have any explanation except for the fact that I never give up in a race. Even when I’m having a bad race, I always try to fight through it.’’

O’Flynn was runner-up for the second straight day. ‘’I’m skiing well so I’m happy,’’ said O’Flynn. ‘’I struggled somewhat in December so it’s starting to get a lot better.’’

McElroy, 17, earned her first medal this season on the circuit. ‘’I’m really pleased to get on the podium in slalom,’’ she said. ‘’I wasn’t expecting it and I think I needed to win a medal for my confidence. I’ve had a hard time finishing my runs in slalom this year.’’

In men’s slalom, McLeay, seventh on Saturday, clocked a two-run combined time of 1:53.55 to finish ahead of Scott Hume of Whistler in second at 1:54.17 and Cameron Stuart of Calgary in third at 1:54.57.

‘’I was a lot smoother,’’ said McLeay, second after the first run. ‘’Yesterday I tried to make too much happen and today I just let it happen. There were still some mistakes and there were parts I could have skied better. Still the field is strong here so it’s a satisfying victory.’’

Hume, whose brother Jeff placed sixth in a World Cup downhill on Saturday, was ninth after the first run. ‘’I thought my medal hopes were shot after that first run,’’ said Hume, who won Saturday’s slalom here. ‘’On the second run I just went straight and as fast as I could. I guess my brother’s success is rubbing off on me. It’s certainly been an exciting weekend for our whole family.’’

Stuart, vying for a spot on the world junior team this season, was third after both runs. ‘’The second run actually didn’t go as fast but I was able to maintain my position,’’ said Stuart. ‘’The course was a lot straighter and faster on the second run so it was charge, charge, charge the whole way. It’s been a slow start to my season this year but things are starting to pick up.’’

The Pontiac GMC Cup series features 32 races in four provinces before the national championships in March. The series culminates with the 2005 Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships at Mont Ste-Anne and Le Massif, in Quebec, from March 17-22, 2005. The best young athletes from Canada compete head-to-head against athletes from the Canadian Alpine Ski Team in speed and technical events. The Nakiska stop contnues through to Tuesday.

Sara Renner

CANADA'S SARA RENNER AND DEVON KERSHAW CLAIM GOLD IN PURSUIT RACE AT HAYWOOD CANADA CUP.
(CODA Release)

Canmore, Alta-Canada's Sara Renner and Devon Kershaw powered their way across the finish line to the top of the podium in a Haywood Canada Cup pursuit race in Canmore, Alta., on Thursday.

Renner, a two-time Olympian and Canadian cross-country skiing veteran, sped her way along the 10-kilometre classic pursuit through heavy snow to cross the line on top of the pack with a time of 36 minutes 28.7 seconds. "It was quite a tough race today because I had to make first tracks in the heavy snowfall," said the 28-year-old, who has been the lone Canadian woman on the cross-country skiing World Cup so far this season. "This is my first intense race since the break so things were quite painful today."

Thursday's race marked an especially meaningful win for the Canmore Alta., native. Renner donated all of her prize money earned this week towards relief efforts for South Asia's Tsunami victims. "I am donating all my winnings this week to a Canmore couple who are raising money for boats as part of a Tsunami relief fund, so I am happy that I was able to earn a little extra cash to donate," said Renner.

Joining Renner on the podium was Dasha Gaiazova of Montreal in the silver medal position, who finished the race with a time of 37:35:7. Tasha Betcherman of Thunder Bay, Ont., rounded out the top three at 37:40:3.

Meanwhile, in the men's 15-kilometre classic pursuit, 22-year-old Devon Kershaw pulled out all the stops to cross the finish line mere seconds ahead of teammate Chris Jeffries of Chelsea, Que. Kershaw, who will join the rest of the Canadian team on the World Cup circuit next week, crossed the finish line with a time of 38:43:5. "It was a great race today and I got pretty lucky," said Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont. "Chris Jeffries' ski popped off in the start and he frantically tried to catch me from behind, but fortunately I was able to out sprint him in the end."

Jeffries was the next fastest athlete behind Kershaw, crossing the line in a time of 38:50.6, while George Grey of Rossland, B.C., won the bronze medal after clocking a time at 39:06:01.

The Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team, including Beckie Scott, will head to Europe for World Cup action on January 15 in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.

Regan Lauscher

CANADA'S REGAN LAUSCHER SLIDES BACK INTO TOP-10 AT VIESSMANN LUGE WORLD CUP
(CODA Release)

Konigssee, GER-Canada's Regan Lauscher climbed rapidly up the ranks to slide into ninth spot at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Konigssee, Germany on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Red Deer native powered her way in the top-10, while posting a personal best start time in her first run. The veteran of the Canadian women's team finished the race with a two-run combined time of 1:37:197. "I'm happy with ninth today, and it was definitely an improvement from last weekend," said Lauscher, who rapidly climbed up the World Cup rankings after last week's race in Oberhof. "One of the biggest obstacles this week was to leave my last race behind and focus on the present."

The 2002 Olympian, who recently became the first Canadian luge athlete to win a silver medal in the history of the Luge World Cup, clocked runs of 48:607 and 48.590 respectively. "I've been focusing for two days on getting back into the race, so I think I came out today and performed well."

The German women captured the top three spots in Wednesday's race, with Silke Kraushaar taking gold with a two run combined time of 1:35:340. Kraushaar slid to a track record in her second run at 47.610. Teammate Barbara Niedernhuber grabbed the silver medal with a time of 1:35:558, while Anke Wischnewski captured bronze (1:36:392). Calgary's Madison Dupuis was the only other Canadian sled today's race, and finished in 14th spot with a combined time of 1:37:651.

Meanwhile in men's doubles action, Canada's Grant Albrecht and Eric Pothier finished the day's race in 14th place, posting a two-run combined time of 1:36:966. Pothier, of Airdrie, Alta., and Albrecht, of Red Deer, Alta., who had hoped to break back into the top-10 in World Cup racing, clocked runs of 48:485 and 48.481 respectively. "We'd been having good runs all week, but unfortunately we didn't have enough speed on race day to climb further up in the standings," said Pothier. "Grant and I are looking forward to the next race in Igls, Austria because we tend to be faster on that track. Hopefully we'll see better results."

Germany narrowly missed a podium sweep, with three-time World Champions Patrick Leitner and Alexander Resch claiming the top spot with a combined time of 1:34:534. Teammate's Andre Florschütz and Torsten Wustlich captured the silver medal with a time of 1:35:230, while Austria's Linger and Linger rounder out third at 1:35:305.

Racing will continue on Thursday in Konigssee, Germany with men's single action.

Thomas Grandi

Nothing breeds success like athletes reaching podium.
(The Calgary Herald - Ken Read)

Winning on the World Cup circuit is no easy task. In ski racing, the system ensures that every race is a world championship -- every top athlete competes.

It can take years to put all the fine details in line to capture that first win.

Duplicating the feat is not just strapping on the skis and showing up. In my own case, it took 21/2 years of searching between the first win and the second, to find that elusive feel -- that moment where you are "in the zone," knowing the skis are right, the physical and mental balance is on and you own this racetrack.

For Thomas Grandi, the road to win No. 1 was particularly long -- a 12-year journey. So perhaps it should be no surprise he wasted no time zapping off the second win two days later.

This was a popular result for alpine ski racing. Ironically, every other ski racer on the World Cup tour has been waiting for Grandi to win.

Quick with a smile, nimble in Italian, French and German and probably one of the most approachable athletes on the tour, Grandi has been a favourite of ski racing fans for many years.

Last year in Kitzbuhel, after Grandi won the opening run of the Hahnenkamm slalom, Croatian slalom ace Ivica Kostelic leaned over and casually stated: "Thomas is going to win today."

With butterflies in my own stomach, I replied, "what makes you so sure?"

"Easy" replied Ivica. "Tom is the best in the world on this snow."

Even though the final result last January put Grandi in second spot, a mere .08 hundredths behind Kalle Pallender of Finland, it was an unprecedented breakthrough for Canadian skiing. More important to me, was the recognition from his peers that Grandi was a threat to be taken very seriously.

This past summer, I believe Grandi finally accepted this fact as well. It may seem odd that the last one to believe is the athlete. But keep in mind this is new territory. The only Canadian male to stand on a World Cup podium in one of the technical disciplines is Grandi.

Jim Hunter came close 30 years ago with a fourth-place finish in Val d'Isere, France. The late Ernie McCulloch may have had the chance, but he was denied eligibility for the 1948 Olympics on the spurious claim he had accepted money as a ski instructor.

It's a fine line between skiing well and winning. You simply can't underestimate the importance of confidence. This mental edge is really all that separates the best from the next 40 athletes.

Take Gail Kelly, for example. Last season, the Quebec native struck out in six successive World Cup giant slaloms before finally scoring her first top-30 result, a 23rd in Germany. That simple feat started a roll, where Kelly not only placed in the top 30 in the next four races, she won the second run in Soelden, Austria and came second in the second run in Aspen, Colo.

From a world ranking of 40th, to first.

You can see the impact of World Cup success on our men's team. On the heels of Europa Cup slalom wins, this Monday Patrick Biggs of Ottawa led Canadians to four placings in the top five, winning a Nor-Am giant slalom in Sunday River, Me.

On Wednesday, Calgary's John Kucera took top spot ahead of Ottawa's Ryan Semple. Mike Janyk of Whistler, Francois Bourque of New Richmond, Que., and J-F Roy of St. Flavie, Que., have scored personal bests this year.

For the first time ever, the race to secure one of the four starting spots for the technical events in the upcoming world championships in Bormio is a real fight.

We all feel the effect of Canadian sport success. Whether it's Pierre Lueders in bobsleigh, Sarah Renner in cross-country, Regan Laucher in luge, Jeff Pain in skeleton or our world champion junior hockey team, members of our community have achieved.

We all stand a little taller and walk with a bit of extra spring in the step.

The best part is the ripple effect of these wins on children. For the past two weeks, I have been fielding calls and anecdotes about youngsters who have signed up for programs. And not just in skiing -- in snowboarding, freestyle and ski jumping as well.

They see the results. Parents are enthused by what our community can produce and to top it off we are so fortunate to have the lure of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Who says winning is not a good thing?

Hayley Wickenheiser

Oval X-Treme remain league leaders

CALGARY – The Calgary Oval X-Treme picked up their third straight win against the Saskatchewan Prairie Ice to remain the undefeated leaders in the Western Women’s Hockey League. The X-Treme took the final game of the three-game series with a 15-to-one win over Saskatchewan Sunday afternoon at the Bowness Arena.

X-Treme forwards and members of Team Canada’s Olympic gold medal winning team, Dana Antal and Hayley Wickenheiser picked up a hat trick each.

The X-Treme dominated the play with Olympians Kelly Bechard and Danielle Goyette starting the scoring. Goyette went on to score another, this time short-handed, to make it a three goal lead. Olympian and X-Treme Captain Cassie Campbell scored the team’s fourth and then assisted Antal to leave it five to nothing after one period of play.

Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser picked up back-to-back goals to start the second period followed by back-to-back goals for Antal. Jacelyn Larocque sent in the tenth goal. Olympian Colleen Sostorics, with a pass from Wickenheiser and Goyette, scored short-handed in the final seconds to end the second period with an 11 point lead.

Saskatchewan came out in the third period and, with an assist from Stephanie Cawood and Nicole Mossop to Beckie Bailey, scored their only goal of the game.

German national team player and X-Treme forward Denise Soesilo answered back with a pass from Kayley Hall and Olympian Lori Dupuis. Dupuis and Hall would team up again for Hall to score goal 13, followed by a third goal by Wickenheiser. The Molson player of the Game, Dana Antal, with a pass from Sostorics, set Samantha Holmes up for the final goal of the game.

Fans can follow the teams’ progress at www.westernwomenshockeyleague.com. Saskatchewan goes on to host the Minnesota Whitecaps in Pense on Friday, January 14.

Fans can catch the Oval X-Treme in action when they host the Edmonton Chimos for a double header February 5 and 6 in Calgary.