August 31, 2002 (Kaprun, Austria) – Norway’s Gunn-Rita Dahle took the gold
medal today in Kaprun, Austria in the Women’s 2002 Worlds MTB race, a first
for Norway. Gunn is no stranger to the taste of victory and actually came
quite close to winning the worlds in 1998 when she won silver at
Mont-Ste-Anne. Poland’s Anna Szasfraniec was second, less than a minute
behind Dahle. Germany’s Sabine Spitz was third. Canada’s Alison Sydor was
fourth.

With torrential downpours, river crossings that were 18 inches deep, and
6-8inch deep water patches along the course, racers had their work cut out
for them. 2001 World Champion and current World Cup leader Alison Dunlap
DNF’d,
as did fourteen other women. Among them were Italy’s
Annabella Stropparo and Spain’s Marga Fullana who are currently ranked third
and fourth in the world. Missing in action were Switzerland’s Barb Blatter
(currently ranked 7th in the world) and Argentina’s Jimena Florit whose top
result this year was a 4th place finish at the Mont-Ste-Anne World Cup.

Canada’s Alison Sydor had an excellent ride, even leading the race during
some parts of the event. Her effort gave her fourth place, which was almost
a third place until she was passed by Spitz in the last lap. Not far behind
her were Canadians Chrissy Redden and Kiara Bisaro who finished in 7th and
8th. Other notable results were that of the Canadians Marie-Helene Premont
(16th), Trish Sinclair (31st), Eron Chorney (34th) and Sandra Walter 53rd.


1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR) 2:14:05
2. Anna Szasfraniec (POL) 2:15:28
3. Sabine Spitz (GER) 2:15:53

Canadians:
5. Alison Sydor 2:17:41
7. Chrissy Redden 2:24:02
8. Kiara Bisaro 2:24:44
16. Marie-Helene Premont 2:29:16
31. Trish Sinclair 2:39:42
34. Eron Chorney 2:41:34
53. Sandra Walters -1lap