June 29, 2004 – The women’s race started with two short start loops at a pace that reminded me of a NORBA short track instead of a World Cup cross-country race. Up the first gravel climb the pack was strung out in a long line with Gunn-Rita Dahle (Multivan Merida), Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain/Business Objects), and Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain/Business Objects) breaking away.

Much like the men’s race, a small chase group formed with Canada’s Chrissy Redden (Gary Fisher-Subaru) and Kiara Bisaro (Gears Racing), along with Annabella Stropparo (Italy), Barbara Blatter (Specialized), and Mary McConneloug (USA).

Not a lot of changes occurred with a lot of riders racing on their own holding their positions. The biggest breakthrough was from Willow Koerber (Polo Sport) who moved into third position at the end of lap one and never looked back. Coming off her first NORBA victory at the NORBA XC in Vermont she had a lot of confidence and the rocky technical single track at Mont Ste-Anne really played in her favour. Settling into the race Blatter was riding in 4th, Sydor was in 5th, Kiara Bisaro in 6th followed by McConneloug in 7th and that’s how this group finished

Gunn-Rita Dahle took the win over Canada’s hometown favourite Marie-Helene Premont who thrilled the crowd with her silver performance. Koerber took the bronze. A bit of a battle ensued between Redden and Stropparo with Redden eventually getting away in the single track to finish eighth.

Later I spoke with Chrissy who said that honourable mention should go to the technical riding of Kelli Emmett (Specialized). She said, “S earlier in the race Kelli passed me in the more “direct line” drop off in the first technical descent. I passed her a bit later only to have her try to get by me again on a much trickier rock drop. I wasn’t excepting it and held my line and stayed in front but was really impressed by Kelli’s technical riding!” Emmett finished 10th behind Stropparo.

Next stop on the World Cup Circuit takes place at Calgary, Alberta’s Olympic Park on July 2-4. Totally different from the technical flow of Ste. Anne’s course, with a no rest higher speed track. It should be very interesting with thundershowers in the forecast and the last chance for riders to prove their ability for the committee’s choice Canadian Olympic position.