Jeff Pain (CP)

CANADA'S JEFF PAIN CAPTURES OVERALL WORLD CUP SKELETON TITLE WITH SILVER MEDAL WIN IN LAKE PLACID.
(CODA Release)

Lake Placid, USA- Canada's Jeff Pain exploded out of the start and blazed down the track to take home the silver medal and capture the overall World Cup title during the final World Cup race in Lake Placid, United States on Friday night.

The 33-year-old powerhouse showed the world he's the best when he slid into second, a mere 0.15 seconds off the leading pace set by the United States' Eric Bernotas. The Calgary native took home his first-ever overall World Cup title, edging out Chris Soule of the United States by 45 points for a total of 575.

North America dominated the podium in Friday's final race before the world championships in Calgary next week. Bernotas slid into first to capture the gold medal while teammate Zach Lund rounded out third. Canada's Duff Gibson narrowly missed the podium, to finish the race in fourth spot. The 38-year-old finished the World Cup campaign in third with 504 points.

In women's action, Canada's Lindsay Alcock slid her way into fifth, after executing a powerful two runs on the technically dominant Lake Placid track. "I am really pleased with a top-five performance," said the leader of the strong Canadian women's team. "It's been a consistent year and I feel that I am exactly where I want to be going into the world championships. I am expecting a podium finish on my home track next week."

Alcock finished the World Cup campaign in fourth overall with 457 points. Switzerland's Maya Pedersen slid into first during this final stop on the World Cup circuit. Katie Uhlaender of the United States made her way into the second position, while teammate and overall World Cup leader Noelle Pikus-Pace rounded out third.

Other Canadian sleds included: Michelle Kelly, Grande Prairie, Alta., who slid into seventh spot; Mellisa Hollingsworth, Eckville, Alta., (8); Deanna Panting, Winnipeg, (12); Paul Boehm, Calgary, (8) and Kelly Forbes, Calgary, (25).

The Canadian team will head to Calgary to defend their home track at the 2005 FIBT Konica Minolta World Championships, February 14-27.

Jenn Heil (CP)

Heil clinches World Cup moguls' title, while Marc-André Moreau wins silver in Naeba.
(Freestyle Release)

Naeba, Japan -- Jennifer Heil of Spruce Grove, AB, rallied from a mediocre showing in the qualification round to surprise herself with a moguls victory in World Cup freestyle ski action Friday. But it wasn't the only Canadian medal of the day, as Marc-André Moreau of Chambly, QC, rebounded from back-to-back mediocre showings to capture the silver medal in the men's moguls final.

Heil, 21, had skied too conservatively in the morning, but took an aggressive approach on one of the World Cup circuit's flattest courses to win with a score of 26.04. Unknown to her at the time, the win also clinched the women's overall moguls title for the second straight year.

"I really didn't push it in the morning, and I knew what I had to change," said Heil, who trains out of Montreal. "I was a little frustrated, but I used that energy to go really big. The only way I knew I could win was to go as hard as I could."

For the first time this season, Heil tried one of her more difficult jumps (a mute grab), because she'd been nursing a broken right thumb. She won with a score of 26.04, while Kari Traa of Norway was second in 25.56 and Jillian Vogtli of the U.S. took third. Three other Canadian women reached the 16-skier final, as Stéphanie St-Pierre of Victoriaville, QC, was eighth, Elisa Kurylowicz of Manotick, ON., ninth and Sylvia Kerfoot of Vancouver 12th. Audrey Robichaud of Val Belair, QC, was 22nd.

Four Canadians also reached the men's moguls final as Moreau was second and Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau of Drummondville, QC, third in the qualification round. Moreau, 23, admits he's had an up-and-down season, with three top-seven placings in the seaoson's first nine events.

"This year I've been trying some new stuff, but it was just a matter of having to put it together," said Moreau."I was a little bit stressed because I had two bad competitions in a row, but I just told myself to trust myself. I was really in my own bubble," said Moreau, who didn't watch other competitors before competing in the final.

Meanwhile in other competition, some quick thinking by Steve Omischl during a freestyle aerials event on Saturday helped the Canadian secure a second-place finish in Changchun, China.

While in the air, Omischl adjusted his technique to ensure a safe landing on his second jump and his fourth medal of the World Cup season. "I probably wouldn't have been able to do it as well five years ago," Omischl said of altering his technique during competition. "But coming into the jump I knew it was a little slow. As soon as I saw the ground, I knew I had to break form to get a solid landing."

Omischl is second in the overall World Cup aerials standings with 430 points. Jeret Peterson of the United States leads with 560 points after his 10th place showing on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Canada's Deidra Dionne put an end to her recently slump, winning bronze in the women's event. Her total of 190.80 points put her behind China's Li Nina (204.47) and Switzerland's Evelyne Leu (198.94). "The last few weeks have been pretty tough. I've really been down," said Dionne of Red Deer, Alta. "It's been a while since I've been that down and I wanted to go home. But I worked myself through it."

Jeremy Wotherspoon breaks world record with 55th World Cup victory.
(Canadian Sport News)

ERFURT, Germany- Mark Nielsen of Calgary won the silver medal in the men’s 100-metre dash and Jeremy Wotherspoon of Red Deer, Alta., added a bronze medal in the 500-metres Sunday to conclude the fourth stop on the long track speed skating circuit. Wotherspoon broke the world record for most world cup victories on Saturday with a win in the 1000m. He now holds 55 world cup titles.

‘’Physically I felt very good today, prepared to skate but I didn’t execute my race properly,’’ said Wotherspoon. ‘’But my starts are improving again and now I just need to make my turns a lot more solid so I can generate more speed.’’

‘’It’s a fun race especially when it goes down to the wire like today,’’ said Nielsen, 25, with his fourth career World Cup medal in the event. ‘’I think the guys that are good in the 100 probably have some kind of natural ability or instinct. For me it may be something I also carried over from my hockey days.’’

In the men’s 500, Dmitry Lobkov of Russia earned the gold in 35.15 with his pair Joji Kato of Japan second in 35.19. Wotherspoon, Saturday’s winner, followed in
35.27.

With two 500 races remaining, Wotherspoon has a healthy lead atop the distance’s World Cup standings with 608 points while Kato is second at 458. Each victory is worth 100 points. Wotherspoon is seeking a fourth consecutive 500 World Cup title and his seventh in eighth years.

Beorn Nijenhuis led the Netherlands to a medal sweep in the 1,000 clocking 1:09.20. Wotherspoon was fifth for the second straight day clocking 1:09.87.

‘’It was very similar to yesterday’s race,’’ said Wotherspoon, fourth in the 1,000 World Cup standings. ‘’One of the things that was better today is that dropped off a bit less at the end.’’

In the B group races, Nielsen, Brock Miron of Calgary, Bélanger and Monson were fifth, eighth, 15th and 18th respectively in the 500. In the 1,000, Miron was 10th, Jay Morrison of Fort St, John, B.C., 11th, Jason Parker of Yorkton, Sask., 12th and Bélanger 16th.

On the women’s side, Shannon Rempel of Winnipeg was 13th in both the 500 and 1,000 metre races and Krisy Myers of Lloydminster, Sask., 20th in the 1,000.

In the 500 B group race, Myers was seventh, Kim Weger of Regina eighth, Sarah Smith of Medicine Hat, Alta., 14th and Danielle Wotherspoon of Red Deer 15th. In the 1,000, Christine Nesbitt of London, Ont., was third, Brittany Schussler of Winnipeg fifth and Wotherspoon seventh.

The World Cup final runs this Friday to Sunday at Heerenveen, the Netherlands.

Pierre Lueders

CANADA'S LUEDERS ROCK SOLID ON GOLDEN SATURDAY.
(CODA Release)

Lake Placid, N.Y.-Canada's Pierre Lueders of Edmonton locked up his ninth World Cup medal of the season after sliding into top spot on the two-man podium on Saturday in Lake Placid, N.Y., adding to what is already being scribed as his most successful season ever in his 13-year career.

Canada's most decorated bobsleigh athlete, who has a list of international achievements as long as his Visa sled including Olympic and World Championship titles, piloted Canada 1 down the Olympic track in Lake Placid with Lascelles Brown on the brakes in a two-run time of 1:52.62.

"It was a little closer than I expected but it was another really great day," said the 34-year-old Lueders, who sat in second spot after the first run, just .02 seconds behind the Russian 1 sled. "It has been a fun year. We have a great group of guys, we are all sticking together and we're progressing really well as a team. That makes it fun, relaxed and easy to compete. We are a happy a group."

The victory marks the ninth time Lueders has stepped onto the podium during the 2004-05 World Cup campaign, including six two-man medals and three four-man podium finishes, making him one of the most consistent and dominant athletes on the international circuit. The victory also placed him in second spot on the Overall World Cup two-man rankings behind Martin Annen of Switzerland.
Lascelles Brown, who teamed up with Lueders this season after joining the Canadian program from Jamaica, has been a passenger in the Canadian sled for every medal since mid-December.

"Lascelles had some big shoes to fill this year and he's definitely done that," said Lueders, who added that Brown did not have an international medal heading into this season. "It is a tough role to be ready to compete in both the two- and four-man events and he's met the challenge and I'm happy for him. We are both really tired. It has been a long season, but we have some work to do yet here, and back in Calgary before the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Jayson Krause of Okotoks, Alta. also had one of his best days on the World Cup season. The 28-year-old pilot of Canada 2 teamed up with Florian Linder of Morrin, Alta. to finish in eighth spot with a time of 1:53.38. It is the second top-10 performance of the season for the young Canadian duo, who will need one more to be eligible to make the Canadian Olympic squad. Montreal's Serge Despres piloted the final Canadian sled into 20th position (1:54.37) with Steve Larsen of Vancouver.

Following Sunday's race, Lueders ends his season with a fifth-place finish to secure a third place in the overall 4-man standings. He was second in the 2-man standings overall.

While the World Cup season has come to a close, Lueders and the rest of the Canadian contingent are looking to ad one more chapter to his storybook season when the World Championships kick off on their home track at Canada Olympic Park, February 14-27, 2005, in Calgary. "We are looking forward to competing on our home track and winning in Calgary," said Lueders. "It would be a great way to end the season."

The Canadian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Teams, sponsored by Visa, will hold a media conference on Tuesday, February 15 at 1:30 p.m. to officially kick off the Konica Minolta 2005 FIBT World Championships. The event will be held at the bobsleigh start at Canada Olympic Park.

Thomas Grandi(CP)

GRANDI SKIS BEST MEN’S GIANT SLALOM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE IN CANADA’S HISTORY.
(Alpine Canada Release)

BORMIO (ITA), February 10, 2005 – The television production strike came to an end overnight, allowing the men to compete in the giant slalom at the 2005 World Championships. The highly anticipated competition saw Hermann Maier claim his first World Championship giant slalom victory and Thomas Grandi clinch Canada’s best performance thus far at this competition. Grandi came in 5th place, Canada’s best ever result in a men’s giant slalom at the World Championships.

« I was a bit hesitant in the first run, » said Grandi who’s second best giant slalom performance at the World Championships was an 8th place in Sestrières (ITA) in 1997 – Canada’s previous best men’s giant slalom result at the World Championships.

« During the lunch break, I watched my video from the first run and I noticed that I had over skied the course. I hadn’t let it run down the fall line enough. So, I decided to focus on letting it go in the second run and it felt much better. My second run was definitively t o the level of my capacities.

« Hermann is tough to beat on this hill because the hill is so long that the courses end up having a super G feeling. In fact, all three guys who stepped on the podium raced in the downhill and super G earlier last week. Not only are they good super G skiers but they knew the hill and the snow from last week and I think that had an impact. This advantage was particularly noticeable in the first run where I found myself learning how to ski this hill. »

« This result makes me think about the next Olympics, » added Grandi. « I will have to remember what to do and what not to do when that day comes. First off, I know that I will have to attack right from the first run and that I will have to let the skis run more down the fall line if I want to win, » concluded Grandi.

Ryan Semple, the only other Canadian racer to complete both courses, left the start gate wearing bib number 32 and clocked in the 18th best time of the first run and the 13th fastest time of the second run, good for 15th place overall, 3.52 seconds behind the leader.

« I’m a bit disappointed about how far I am from Maier, » said Semple. « I made several significant mistakes in the first run. Fortunately, I turned it around in the second run. » « It was encouraging to have my parents here to cheer me on, » added Semple. « I think it’s the first time they see me in a World Cup and for them to see me come in the top 15 is great! »

Jean-Philippe Roy, from Ste-Flavie (QC), clocked the 3rd best time of the first run and came close to making history by becoming the first Canadian male skier to claim a medal at the World Championships. But Roy will have to be patient and wait another two years since the technical specialist fell and injured his knee in the second run.

Charging the second run with much determination and confidence, Roy was caught off guard by rougher conditions on a gate set in a steep section and fell on his inside ski. Trying to recover, Roy pressured on his downhill ski but was thrown over and twisted his knee. Roy slid to the side of the hill, holding his left knee.

As the race resumed, Roy was transported to the Sondalo hospital by helicopter. His knee was evaluated by a physician and his MCL was said to be stretched to the 2nd degree.

Roy will be returning to Canada tomorrow in order to assess whether any damage has been made to his ACL and meniscus.

« Of course, this is not fun, » said Roy from his hotel room. « I wasn’t nervous after the first run and I felt as though I was skiing just as aggressively in the top section of the second run. I just got caught off guard by a bad hole and instead of letting myself slide, I tried to fight it and that was it, » added the skier who’s previous injury was a break at his hand after the 2002 Olympics.

« I will probably be off skis for 3 to 6 months but I am confidant that I will be in good shape to return to racing early next fall. »

As the crash was shown on the big screen and as dozens of Canadian fans prayed for Roy’s safety, Benjamin Raich – the leader at that point – frown, sympathizing with his competitor’s pain.

« JP had an awkward crash, » confided Grandi, the team’s veteran. « He had a great first run and I was nervous for him in the second leg. Unfortunately, these things happen. We just have to hope the final prognostic isn’t too bad. I’m sure he’ll be back in form, » concluded Grandi who’s had his share of back problems and who is now having his career’s best season.

Alanna Kraus (CP)

Canadian women’s relay snares silver at short track World Cup final.
(CAnadian Sport News)

SPISSKA NOVA VES , Slovakia- Canada completed its short track speed skating World Cup season with its best showing of the year adding four medals to its haul on Saturday highlighted by silver for the women’s relay squad and two more individual bronze medals for Montreal’s Steve Robillard.

The Canadians, icing the squad that will compete at the world championships next month, won 10 medals one gold, three silver and six bronze at the three day competition which caps the six-stop World Cup circuit for the 2004-2005 season.

In the women’s 3,000-metre relay, China won the gold medal in 4:18.116 with the Canadians second in 4:20.491 and South Korea third in 4:20.695. Skating for Canada was Chantale Sevigny of Sherbrooke, Que., Amanda Overland of Cambridge, Ont., Alanna Kraus of Abbotsford, B.C., and Annik Plamondon of Montreal.

‘’We put a lot of work into the relay this weekend and we feel we got to know each other a lot better,’’ said Kraus. ‘’We got a bit lucky with the Koreans who fell but we won a hard battle with France thanks to some really good exchanges.’’

In the men’s 5,000 relay, the U.S., were the winners in 6:46.801 with South Korea second in 6:46.960 while the Canadians were third in 6:52.327 with Francois-Louis Tremblay of Boucherville, Que., Mathieu Turcotte of Sherbrooke, Que., Charles Hamelin of Ste-Julie, Que., and Steve Robillard of Montreal. Canada medalled in the men’s relay at all six World Cups this season.

Robillard, 20, completed the best weekend of his career with bronze medals in both the 1,000 and 3,000 metre races on Sunday. He finishes the weekend with four individual medals. He was also second in the 1,500 and 500 on Thursday and Friday.

‘’It’s a very satisfying competition for me,’’ said Robillard. ‘’I was very consistent. I wasn’t sure how many events I would race this weekend but I was glad to capitalize on my opportunities.’’

Also in the men’s 1,000, Turcotte was disqualified in the final and Éric Bédard of Ste-Thècle, Que., was eliminated in the quarterfinals for ninth overall.

In Sunday’s individual races on the women’s side, Anouk Leblanc-Boucher of Montreal was seventh in the 3,000 and while Overland, Kraus and Leblanc-Boucher were eliminated in the quarterfinals for 11th, 14th and 17th.

In the final World Cup standings, Canada earned three titles: it was ranked the top-men’s team for the year and was also first in the men’s relay standings while Turcotte took the men’s 500 crown.

Apolo Anton Ohno of the U.S., the 1,000 winner Sunday, is the overall individual World Cup champion finishing with 200 points. Ohno also placed first in the 1,000 World Cup standings ahead of Turcotte in third and Hamelin in fourth.

Canada was also third in the women’s relay standings and overall women’s team rankings. Overland was sixth in the 1,000 standings and Kraus ninth in the overall standings.

The Canadian team now team returns home to prepare for the worlds.

Sara Renner (CP)

SARA RENNER CHARGES BACK IN SLOPPY SPRINT AT CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING WORLD CUP.
(Canadian Sport News)

Reit im Winkl, GER-Canada's Sara Renner overcame a miserable Saturday performance, heavy snowfall, along with icy and slushy conditions to finish 12th in the final World Cup race of the season on Sunday in Reit im Winkl, Germany.
The Canmore, Alta. native qualified in 15th spot with a time of three minutes 17.09 seconds under disastrous conditions, which plagued the 1.5-kilometre German loop, which was good enough to advance her into the final round of 16 athletes.

"It was much better today and I really needed a good race heading into World Championships because Saturday was unacceptable," said the two-time Olympian, who is also the wife to alpine skier and World Cup medal winner Thomas Grandi. "We've been training really hard and the team is tired, so I think we need to just take a couple of days and relax, get rested, and then get psyched for World Championships."

Renner's life in the round of 16 heats, which consist of four athletes in each race racing simultaneously, with the top-two athletes crossing the line first moving onto the next round, was short-lived. "I finished third in the opening heat and was eliminated, but I was really happy with my performance because it was a fast group and I responded to the pace," said the 28-year-old Renner. "It's been a bit of a struggle since Christmas, but I have to be patient and learn from the tough times and dedicate myself to the process. I am focused and looking forward to World Championships next week."

Meanwhile Canadian men's rookie, 22-year-old Devon Kershaw, posted his best ever World Cup sprint finish. While the Sudbury, Ont. native failed to move into the round of 16, he did claim a personal best finish in 25th spot against the best cross-country ski athletes in the world.

"This was definitely a great race and huge for my confidence," said Kershaw, who was just a second out of moving into the final heats. "There are seconds to be made up everywhere on the course, and I know that I can do that if I limit my mistakes, visualize the course better in advance and continue to have perfect preparation. I am learning a lot and definitely heading in the right direction."

The Norwegian flag was raised above the men's podium after Eldar Roenning claimed the gold medal. Roenning's teammate, Odd-Bjoern Hjelmeset claimed second spot, while Poland's Janusz Krezelok rounded out the top three.

Other Canadian results on Sunday included: World Cup rookie, Chandra Crawford of Canmore, Alta., in 36th spot; Olympic veteran, Milaine Theriault of St. Quentin, N.B. in 45th; and Tara Whitten of Edmonton in 55th on the women's side. Beckie Scott was ill and did not race. George Grey of Rossland, B.C. was the only other Canadian male to suit up on Sunday and finished 51st. Chris Jeffries of Chelsea, Que. also did not compete due to a foot injury.

The Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team will now head to Oberstdorf, Germany for the World Championships wich kick off on Monday.

Zina Kocher

CANADA'S ZINA KOCHER CLAIMS SEASON BEST RESULT AT BIATHLON WORLD CUP.
(Canadian Sport News)

Cesana San Sicario-Canada's Zina Kocher kicked things into high gear, speeding around the new Olympic track to a season best 16th-place finish at the biathlon World Cup in Cesana San Sicario, Italy on Saturday.

The 22-year-old exploded out of the start to make her way around the technically challenging course loaded with numerous uphill climbs and intense downhill sections to cross the finish line with a time of twenty-seven minutes 09.0 seconds.

"I was very excited when I realized that my name was in the top-20," said Kocher, who executed a near perfect shooting score, hitting nine of ten targets. "I did, unfortunately miss the last target of my standing bout which cost me seventh or eighth place, but it shows what I am capable of and what I can do when I am relaxed and on my game."

The Red Deer, Alta., native, who trains with the Canadian team in Canmore, Alta., at the base of the Rocky Mountains, achieved a top-10 result last year in her rookie season on the World Cup circuit. Kocher's 16th place finish on Saturday, marks her second-best international result to date.

"I guess I've always known that I've had it in me to be back in the top-30," said Kocher, who was plagued by illness during the first half of the World Cup season. "Now that I'm healthy and feeling strong I am looking forward to having more successful races. I think it is a great accomplishment to get this far."

Calgary's Sandra Keith was the next best Canuck, finishing Saturday's race in 76th spot with a time of 31:01.0, hitting eight of ten targets. Marie-Pierre Parent, Ancienne Lorette, Que., crossed the finish line in 83rd place at 31:29.0, with one shooting error, while Rimouski, Que., native Martine Albert ended the day in 86th position with 32:06.5 and two shooting errors. There were 107 of biathlon's elite in Saturday's sprint.

World Cup competition will continue on Sunday in Cesana San Sicario with the relay events.