December 11, 2005

Scott wins cross-country gold, Renner takes bronze

Beckie Scott, from Vermilion, Alta., won the gold medal and teammate Sara Renner, from Canmore, Alta., took home the bronze in the women's 1.1-kilometre sprint final. Germany's Claudia Kuenzel earned the silver medal.

Scott won silver on Saturday in the 15-kilometre pursuit race, the first time in 10 years Canada has hosted a World Cup competition.

"We just wanted to race at home, but this definitely exceeds any expectations we had while hosting a World Cup," said Scott, who captured her first World Cup gold medal in her 11-year career.

"I have finished second and third so many times, but to be able to win gold, and do it at home is absolutely amazing and a dream weekend."

Scott said her weekend performances were the result of hard work and preparation.

"I am feeling the strongest I ever have in my career, and I have trained so hard throughout the summer preparing for these races. I was just curious to see where it stood against some international competition," said Scott. "I was focused more on the pursuit race this weekend, but today's result shows my training has prepared me for most disciplines."

Renner said her third-place finish exceeded her expectations.

"My goal today in the final was simple: stick with Beckie," said Renner, who also posted her best ever pursuit result on Saturday when she finished 12th.

"In fact, that has been my strategy throughout my career so it seems to work. This is such an amazing day, and I think even more rewarding than finishing third at the World Championships last year because it was in Canada."

Chandra Crawford of Canmore, Alta, finished tenth.

The top 30 athletes during the qualification round move into the head-to-head heats, which pit six athletes racing simultaneously around the course. The top two in each heat advance to the next round, culminating with the final four athletes.

Norway's Tor Arne Hetland won the men's race. Sweden's Bjoern Lind was second and Ola Vigen Hattestad of Norway was third.

The top Canadian was Sean Crooks, Thunder Bay, Ont., who fi