September 10, 2005 — In her usual style, Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) took control of the race early, steadily cushioning her lead over the four nine-kilometre laps to take the win at the World Cup Finals in Fort William, Scotland today.

Dahle’s World Cup Series win was already a certainty before the race.

Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) worked hard to chase, but nothing could slow the runaway Norwegian. Spitz secured second place, followed by Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Multivan-Merida) in third.

Canada’s Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects), who had reportedly been plagued by stomach problems overnight, was forced to abandon after struggling through the first two laps.

With the exception of Premont’s misfortune, the Canadian women had a strong showing. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Gears Racing) missed the podium by only one spot as she delivered the best Canadian result with sixth place. Trish Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA) finished lucky 13th, followed by Catharine Pendrel (CAN, Bike Barn) and Mical Dyck (CAN, Terrascape Racing) in 15th and 16th, respectively.

Results
XC #8
Women, 37.3 km
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) 1:53:17
2. Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) at 5:06
3. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Multivan-Merida) 5:45
4. Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 5:46
5. Nina Gohl (GER, Multivan-Merida) 5:49
6. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Gears Racing) 6:00
7. Mary McConneloug (USA, Seven Cycles-Kenda) 7:48
8. Ivonne Kraft (GER, Ghost Racing) 8:47
9. Maria Ostergren (SWE) 9:35
10. Franziska Roethlin (SUI, Univega) 10:10

Other Canadians:
13. Trish Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA) 12:01
15. Catharine Pendrel (CAN, The Bike Barn) 14:20
16. Mical Dyck (CAN, Terrascape Racing) 14:41
DNF Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects)
World Cup XC Series Overall after eight events

Women

1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) 1900 points
2. Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) 1460
3. Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 1220
4. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Multivan-Merida) 905
5. Mary McConneloug (USA, Seven Cycles-Kenda) 750
6. Ivonne Kraft (GER, Ghost Racing) 668
7. Lene Byberg (NOR, Multivan-Merida) 522
8. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Gears Racing) 521
9. Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 421
10. Maja Wsoszczowska (POL, Lotto) 380

Other Canadians:
13. Trish Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA) 323
20. Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 250
35. Mical Dyck (CAN, Terrascape Racing) 178
52. Catharine Pendrel (CAN, The Bike Barn) 117
71. Sandra Walter (CAN, AdventureBound.ca) 82
90. Amanda Sin (CAN, Bay Cycle-3 Rox Racing) 59
92. Julie Sanders (CAN, Xprezo) 58
96. Wendy Simms (CAN, Frontrunners) 54