July 17, 2010 (Canmore, AB) – The Elite/U23 Women’s race is underway at the Canmore Nordic Centre with great conditions. The women are completing one start loop with four laps of the 7.5km course. The organizers want to thank the many volunteers who are assisting with the race and special thanks to Canmore’s Olympic xc skiers helping out today as well.

Lap 1
Catharine Pendrel (Luna) has quickly established a lead in the Elite women’s race followed by Amanda Sin (3 Rocks), Mical Dyck (Trek), Sandra Walter (Local Ride) and Wendy Simms (Kona).

Emily Batty (Trek World Racing) is leading the U23 women…

Lap 2
Pendrel is not letting up with a huge gap to Sin in second over 1:30… followed by Dyck and Catherine Vipond (Norco Factory Team)…

Batty continues to lead the U23 women but Mikaela Kofman (3 Rox Racing) has bridged to her as they gain on the Elite women who started before them.

Lap 3
Pendrel has a 2-3 minute lead as she powers ahead on the Canmore Nordic Centre course with Sin in second and Dyck in third… Pendrel’s lead is over 3 minutes now.

Batty and Kofman continue to battle it out in U23 race… but Batty has attacked and is pulling away.

Lap 4 Final
Pendrel has a 4-min lead and is unstoppable…. Sin is in second but Batty has surged and has overtaken Dyck for third overall.

Kofman is in 2nd in the U23 race followed by Rebecca Beaumont (Équipe du Québec/Cyclone d’Alma) and Ashley Barson (Coach Chris.ca/Ted Velikonja).

Pendrel wins…

Results (brief)

U23
1. Emily Batty (Trek World Racing) 1:43:31.2
2. Mikaela Kofman (3 Rox Racing) 1:45:00.0
3. Rebecca Beaumont (Équipe du Québec/Cyclone d’Alma) 1:54:44.2
4. Ashley Barson (Coach Chris.ca/Ted Velikonja) 1:55:04.5
5. Cassandre Olivier-Lapierre (Équipe Québec/Subway-Genetik) 1:59:03.9
6. Marie-Claude Surprenant (Équipe du Québec/Xprezo) 2:02:21.2
7. Anna Schappert (Team Manitoba) 2:02:30.6
8. Krystyn Ong (Team Alberta/River Valley Cycle) 2:03:58.1
9. Samantha Grover (Pedalhead Racing Club) 2:06:07.0

Elite Women
1. Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) 1:37:41.3
2. Amanda Sin (3 Rocks Racing) 1:42:42.1
3. Mical Dyck (Trek Canada/Terrascape Racing) 1:44:39.9
4. Catherine Vipond (Norco Factory Team) 1:46:52.3
5. Sandra Walter (Local Ride Women’s MTB Team) 1:47:27.8
6. Cindy Montambault (CVM Val-David) 1:48:13.8
7. Brandi Heisterman (Northlands Medical Clinic) 1:50:05.6
8. Jean Ann McKirdy (Local Ride Women’s MTB Team) 1:51:14.4
9. Wendy Simms (KONA)1:51:44.2
10. Caroline Villeneuve (Norco Factory Team) 1:54:23.8