Cindy Klassen achieves her first World Cup Victory over the weekend in Hamar, Norway. (CP Photo)

Double Olympic champion Claudia Pechstein of Germany was the winner clocking four minutes and 05.00 seconds. Barbara de Loor of the Netherlands, who returned to competition after a two-year hiatus due to heart problems, won the silver in 4:08.54. Klassen, third in the event at the Salt Lake City Olympics, followed in 4:10.12 and Clara Hughes of Winnipeg was fourth in 4:10.56. Klassen was paired with de Loor who built a big lead right from the start.

Kristina Groves of Ottawa was 10th. In the B Group race, Tara Risling of Medicine Hat, Alta., was second. In the men's 1,500, Yevgeny Lalenkov of Russia was the surprise winner in 1:47.39 with Erben Wennemars of Netherlands second in 1:48.30 and Derek Parra of the U.S., third in 1:48.84. Kevin Marshall of Coquitlam, B.C., was 11th. Jason Parker of Yorkton, Sask., 13th, Steven Elm of Red Deer, Alta., 18th, Dustin Molicki of Calgary, fourth overall last season, 22nd.

Klassen defeated her pair and pre-race favorite Claudia Pechstein of Germany to win the gold medal and her first World Cup victory in the women's 1,500 metres, which concluded the opening stop on the circuit. Klassen clocked one minute and 58.07 seconds. Pechstein, the double Olympic champion in Salt Lake City, settled for silver at 1:58.82 and Jennifer Rodriguez of the U.S., was third in 1:58.86.

Kristina Groves of Ottawa was 11th, Clara Hughes of Winnipeg 13th and Tara Risling of Medicine Hat, Alta., 25th. Canadians competed in the Group B division for those not ranked in the top-20. Arne Dankers of Calgary was sixth, Steven Elm of Red Deer, Alta., 12th, Jamie Ivey of Ottawa 13th, Mark Knoll of Regina 15th and Dustin Molicki of Calgary 20th.

Beckie Scott, first ever Canadian Cross Country Skiier to medal at the Olympics. (CP Photo)

Scott, the first Canadian cross-country skier to medal at an Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City last February, proved she is still on top at the start of this post-Olympic year. Winning in a time of 24:35, Scott won by a minute and 40 seconds over second place American skier Wendy Wagner. She feels confident in her performance. "I felt really good this morning," says Beckie. "This race bodes well for my World Cup preparation."

Coach Dave Wood, who recently won the 3M Coaching Canada award in the category of high-performance sport, is pleased with Beckie's result. "Beckie is ready for the World Cup," Wood says. "Her shape is really good and she seems ready to go."

Stone, who earned the top score on floor with a 9.500 and the third best mark on vault, was fourth all around at 36.630. She earns herself berths on vault, floor and beam.

"We're very happy with our placing as a team," said Canadian coach Chris Baraniuk. "Kylie was exceptional on floor and we should be able to bring home some more medals in the individual events."

In the men's team event, the U.S., won the gold as expected but Brazil fielded a talented young squad to snare the silver from the Canadians. The Canadian team was comprised of national junior champion Adam Wong and Nathan Gafuik, both of Calgary, Devin Stem of Burlington, Ont., and Hugh Smith of Halifax.

Kylie Stone of Calgary performs at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. (Grace Chu Photo)

In the individual events, Kylie Stone of Calgary and Gael Mackie of Vancouver tied for second place on floor Saturday to highlight a five medal performance for Canada to conclude the Pan Am junior gymnastics championships. Canada ended the four-day meet with four silver and six bronze medals. Stone added a fourth medal winning the bronze on beam with a 9.425. On the men's side, Wesley Haageensen of the U.S., tied for the gold on high bar with a 9.375 while Nathan Gafuik of Calgary tied for third at 9.187. Devin Stem of Burlington, Ont., was eighth with a 7.900. Adam Wong of Calgary added a bronze on rings on Friday. The Canadian men were third in the team event on Wednesday.

CANADA CAPTURES 2002 4 NATIONS CUP HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

KITCHENER, ON (CHA Press Release) - Canada's National Women's Team captured the 2002 Four Nations Cup on Sunday, after going undefeated in the tournament, including a 4-2 win over the USA in the gold medal final.

Canada wins gold after going undefeated in the tournament held in Kitchener, ON

After defeating Finland and Sweden last week, Canada met the US in the heated final game. Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, SK) scored the winner, her second of the game and 6th of the tournament, with 54 seconds to play, beating USA goaltender Erin Whitten, after being sent in alone by Danielle Goyette (St-Nazaire, QC). Caroline Ouellette (Montréal, QC) added an empty net goal to give Canada a 4-2 victory.

With the victory, Canada has now won all but one (1997) Nations Cup tournaments, dating back to 1996. Canada's victory at the 4 Nations Cup marked the second international tournament win by a Canadian National Team on Sunday. Canada's National Men's Team won the Deutschland Cup earlier today in Hannover, Germany with a 2-0 win over Germany.

WEEKLY NUTRITION TIP: WHY EAT BREAKFAST?
Brought to you by Kelloggs, Sponsor of the Canadian Sport Centre

The morning meal usually breaks a fast that has lasted from 8 to 12 hours. Since your last meal or snack, your body's supply of blood sugar (glucose) has dropped to a low point. The body needs food to produce the glucose that is necessary to keep you going. Studies show that breakfast contributes significant nutrients and calories to the diet, and nutrients missed by skipping breakfast are not compensated for in subsequent meals. Without breakfast, some people become less able to do physical work in the late morning hours and some students do not perform well in the classroom. Individuals who consume ready-to-eat cereal regularly for breakfast (ie: Vector) tend to have lower blood cholesterol levels than individuals who skip or have other foods for breakfast.

Chuck Juergens of Husky Energy Inc. with Allison Forsyth during the announcement of the new alliance. (Alpine Canada Alpin Website Photo)

Calgary, AB (CODA Press Release) – Alpine Canada Alpin formalized two new alliances today that will help produce Olympic and World champions for years to come, president Ken Read said. Husky Energy Inc. signed a significant three-year agreement that will support the country’s premier children’s ski skill development program as well as the elite Canadian Alpine Ski Team.

Read and John Mills, president of CODA, also announced a new strategic alliance for Alpine Canada with CODA in support of plans to develop a Centre for Canadian Olympic Excellence and the concept of a snow sport training centre. “Alpine Canada’s job is to provide the human, technical and financial resources necessary to create champions,” said Read. “These new alliances can help take us to that goal – whether it’s developing ski skills in children or securing the best opportunities to train our Olympic athletes.”