Monica Bascio placed 10th in today's 5 kilometer middle distance race at the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games. For the second consecutive race, the American was impeded by other skiers within the first kilometer of the race. "The Russian and the Korean are both inexperienced, and each was taking one of the two tracks up the stadium hill, but were having problems making it over the top...it took me a while to find space to get around them. It only cost me 10-15 seconds overall, but it's frustrating."

Bascio skied very strong the entire race and definitely left nothing out on the course...but was once again disappointed. "I came here very prepared, am stronger and faster than I have ever been, but still ended up 10th! It's not why I came here, an there's really not much else I can say...I suppose my skis could have been faster, but I wouldn't characterize them as 'slow' either." 

Monica was 94 seconds out of the  Gold, and just over 1 minute out of the bronze, which shows just how competitive the women's sit ski field has become since 2006. "I've skied the two fastest races of my career, and it just isn't enough....the programs for most of the European Countries -- and of course the Canadians -- are much better supported, and I think it makes the difference for that final 1-2% that can put an athlete on the podium...that said, I am at least happy that I raced my best and finished strong!"

 Monica has one more race: The 1k Sprints on Sunday...stay tuned!

You can find complete results from the 5k HERE.