Canadian Devon Kershaw wins silver, Chandra Crawford skis to bronze medals

Forwarded by Sandra Kleppe

December 31, 2006

Munich, GER—A Christmas scrooge may have tried to spoil the holidays for Canada’s elite cross-country skiers, but Santa certainly had the last laugh before the New Year rings in – delivering a present in the form of silver and bronze medals for Devon Kershaw and Chandra Crawford in the sprint competition at the FIS Tour de Ski in Munich, Germany on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., and 23-year-old Crawford, of Canmore, Alta. both proved Canadian cross-country skiers continue to be a force to reckon with after taking on the world in the opening day of the inaugural Tour de Ski, a new concept which is designed to replicate the Tour de France with the world’s best athletes hitting the start line for six races in eight days, and nearly $1 million (U.S.) up for grabs in prize money.

The off-course shenanigans weren’t enough to slow down the feisty Canucks who continue to feed off the momentum of the team’s record-setting season last year despite the retirement of Beckie Scott and Sara Renner’s decision to take a year off to have a baby.

The Canadian duo, quickly moved their way through the head-to-head heats with the top-30 after qualifying among the leaders on the 1.1-kilometre Olympic course in Munich, Germany. The heats consist of six athletes racing head-to-head, with the top two athletes in each race moving on to the next round.

Kershaw, who qualified a disappointing 14th but nonetheless was good enough to move on, continued his breakthrough season on the World Cup where he has consistently placed in the top of the pack. Nervous and anxious all week, a valuable meeting with his sports psychologist and head coach, Dave Wood on Friday, gave him the confidence to sprint for the podium on Saturday in a chaotic race that saw many of the world’s best crash on a tight and slippery Olympic track.

“They just told me to look back at the success I’ve had in the past and I have no reason to be anxious,” said Kershaw, who won Canada’s first World Cup medal in men’s cross-country skiing in more than a decade last season. “These sprint races are so chaotic that you really have to see the course the way a hockey player sees the ice. I was able to do that today, but more importantly, I think I’ve learned how to race against these guys. The sprints rough you up a bit, and the top athletes don’t respect you if they don’t know who you are, and it is better knowing that going in.”

Kershaw had no problems seeing his way to podium, picking apart the field, and cruising into the thrilling big final where Switzerland’s Christoph Eigenmann took home the gold. While Kershaw settled for the silver medal, it was Roddy Darragon, of France, who grabbed the bronze.

Meanwhile, Chandra Crawford also picked up where she left off at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. The Olympic champion in the discipline continued to prove her dominance in the women’s skate-skiing sprint, and put an early stamp of authority on the field when she qualified in third spot.

“I was a little nervous after I saw how fast I qualified, but this feels good for sure to be back on the podium after a difficult start to the season,” said Crawford. “After the race Dave (Wood) said ‘I’m back.’ This is the first skate sprint we’ve had all season so I really appreciated the opportunity to race it, and it was a huge day for our team.”

Crawford maintained her familiar position near the top of the pack for most of the day until the final. After finishing ahead of Norway’s Marit Bjoergen in the semi-final, it was the four-time overall women’s sprint titleholder, who took the lead and sprinted to gold in the final by more than a second.

“I could literally hear Bjoergen breathing down my neck in one of the final corners, and knew who it was,” said Crawford. “I think this race gives me some more confidence, but more importantly, I know that I have a lot of work still to do to be at the level with the best like Bjoergen consistently.”

Sandwiched between the gold and bronze medallists was Italy’s Arianna Follis in second spot.

Overshadowed by the medal-winning day for Kershaw and Crawford was the remarkable performance turned in by the entire Canadian men’s team. Sean Crooks, of Thunder Bay, Ont., posted his best ever result at the World Cup level, and qualified for the World Championships after finishing in 16th spot in the sprint. The 23 year old, who moved into the heats after posting the ninth-fastest time in qualifications, was knocked off in a photo finish in the semi-final round. Crooks’ teammate, Drew Goldsack, of Red Deer, Alta., was also fast in the qualifying round finishing third, and settled for 26th spot after coming up short in the opening round of the heats.

“I am forced to be happy with this result, but Drew and I both left wanting more,” said Crooks. “I was hoping to make it to the final and came up a little short. I think this is a really positive day for us though because I know that I’m able to compete out here, and our entire men’s team is getting stronger as a group and that is a good sign.”

Other Canadian results in the men’s race include: Stefan Kuhn in 27th; George Grey in 45th; and Dan Roycroft, who finished 75th. Three other Canadian women also suited up in the sprint. Amanda Ammar was 39th, while Perianne Jones was 40th and Dasha Gaiazova was 46th.

Next up in the Tour de Ski is the pursuit races in Oberstdorf, Germany, with the women’s 10-kilometre race on Tuesday, followed by the men’s 15-kilometre pursuit taking place on Wednesday.

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 45,000 members are athletes, coaches and officials, including members of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team and Canadian Disabled Cross-Country Ski Team. Cross-country skiing is Canada’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually.

Complete Results: http://www.fis-ski.com

Top-5 Men and Canadian Results:

1.Christoph Eigenmann, SUI; 2. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont., CAN; 3. Roddy Darragon, FRA; 4. Thobias Fredriksson, SWE; 5. Peter Northug, NOR.