By Gong Bing

PRAGELATO PLAN, Italy, Feb. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- China hopes to make the top ten in the women's cross country skiing in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

Chinese skier Xia Wan, who finished his 30km pursuit in the 51st place, told Xinhua on Sunday that the Chinese team has accumulated experience in the Games and had much better performance compared to the past Games.

Wang Chunli, who finished 21st in the women's 15km pursuit early in the morning, upgraded the Olympic results of the Chinese cross country skiers from the 29th place by Qu Donghai in 1998 to a historical best.

"I think in Vancouver in 2010, the Chinese woman skiers will stay in the top ten while the male athletes will make the top 30,"Xia said.

However, Ding Yi, in charge of the Chinese cross country skiing team, kept a low profile.

"The Chinese cross country skiing team will become more mature in 2010 and, I hope, will get closer to the powerhouses, both technically and mentally," he said, "Since 2003, we have started to train in Finland and accumulated much experiences."

"In 2005, Per-Erik Ronnestrand, former head coach of Swedis hcross country skiing team, took the helm of the Chinese team, and has brought us on a fast development track. Thanks to him, we have learned more about cutting-edge technology, advanced training and competition concepts," he added.

"As the 2010 Games is approaching, China's sports governing body has paid more attention to skiing events and put more investment in the sport." Enditem