Goteborg, SWE-Beckie Scott sprinted into seventh place for the second consecutive race at a World Cup in Goteborg, Sweden on Wednesday.
The Vermilion, Alta. native, who qualified for the round of 16 heats in 12th spot, was relegated to the consolation final after crossing the line third in her semifinal heat. The heats consist of four athletes racing simultaneously, with the top-two athletes crossing the line first moving onto the next round.
International speedster, Marit Bjoergen of Norway, captured the gold medal in the final sprint of the season. Bjoergen fought off a hard-charging Aino Kaisa Saarinen of Finland, who settled for the silver medal, while Finland’s Virpi Kuitunen grabbed the bronze.
Sara Renner of Canmore, Alta. was the only other Canadian woman to compete, and just missed qualifying for the finals, finishing in 17th spot.
No American women raced.
On the men’s side of the draw, Norway’s Trond Iversen was the first to cross the line and make his way to the top of the podium. Finland’s Kiejo Kurttila took home the silver medal, while Norway’s Ola Vigen Hattestad rounded out the top-three on the podium.
For North Americans, Andrew Newell had the top finish in 45th place. American Zack Simons was 64th.
Three Canadian men also competed in Wednesday’s sprints, but all failed to qualify for the heats with the top-16. George Grey of Rossland, B.C. was the top Canuck in 52nd. Drew Goldsack of Red Deer, Alta. finished in 57th, while Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont. was 59th.
The Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team will compete in its final World Cup race of the season on Saturday when they suit up for the pursuit discipline in Sweden.
Source: Cross Country Canada
Complete Results: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=15553&cal_suchsector=CC
Top-5 Women:
1.Marit Bjoergen, NOR; 2. Aino Kaisa Saarinen, FIN; 3. Virpi Kuitunen, FIN; 4. Anna Dahlberg, SWE; 5. Christine Kelder, ITA.
Canadian Result:
7. Beckie Scott, Vermilion, Alta.; 17. Sara Renner, Canmore, Alta.
Top-5 Men:
1.Trond Iversen, NOR; 2. Keijo Kurttila, FIN; 3. Ola Vigen Hattestad, NOR; 4. Tor Arne Hetland, NOR; 5. Christian Zorzi, ITA.
Canadian Result:
52. George Grey, Rossland, B.C.; 57. Drew Goldsack, Red Deer, Alta.; 59. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont.
US Results: 45. Andrew Newell; 64. Zack Simons.
