The Continental Cup races this weekend in Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec were postponed for a day after extremely cold weather hit the region on Saturday. All three days of racing were postponed one day, and on Sunday the temperature was a balmy -17 degrees C (races cannot be FIS legal below -20C) and the races went ahead.
Classic Race
In the women's 5K classic race, Canadian Junior sensation Daria Gaiazova took the victory, just 4 seconds ahead of American Aelin Peterson (Madshus/Alpina). In third was US Development skier Melissa Oram. These races are Canadian qualifiers for World Championships, World Juniors, World University Games, and U23 Championships, and it showed on the results. After Oram, the next 23 places were all Canadian.
In the men's race: well, it was a 10K classic race and there was a Freeman racing, so it was safe bet that he would win. Freemans have won every Continental Cup classic race this year. This time it was Justin, who beat out Canadian Chris Jeffries by 25 seconds. Third was Canadian National Team member George Grey.
<St. Anne Classic Results
Skate Race
In the men's 15K Skate, Jeffries got revenge on Freeman, as the two flip-flopped places from the day before. Jeffries finished an impressive 40 seconds ahead to take the win. George Grey again held down the third spot, twelve seconds behind Freeman.
Aelin Peterson also moved up from second in the classic race to first in the skate race, winning the women's 15K. Canadian Development Team skier Tasha Betcherman was second, only four seconds back. Classic winner Daria Gaiazova took third.
<St. Anne Skate Results
The three days of racing concludes tomorrow with a sprint competition.
