A trio of BC ski team athletes took up some top-10 real estate in Thursday's GS series opener at the Pontiac GMC Cup in Nakiska, AB.
North Vancouver's Robbie Dixon, in his second year on the provincial squad, was a fraction away from a podium finish landing a fourth place finish in 2:06.50. Fellow teammates Graham Kraft (Vernon) in 2:08.55 and Marcus Waring (North Vancouver) in 2:10.35 were seventh and ninth respectively. Jamie Finlayson of Whistler was fifth in 2:06.54 and former BC ski team member Aaron Civitarese of Trail was sixth in 2:06.71.
In the men's GS, Michael Giannelli of Burnaby, a national team member since 1996, was the victor as he continues his comeback from an injury. He won both runs clocking 2:05.21. Cameron Barnes of Banff, AB, a national development team member, was second in 2:06.07 and Trevor White of Calgary third in 2:06.20.
Shona Rubens of Calgary showed why she is Canada's top ranked skier in her age group Thursday with a decisive victory in the women's giant slalom. Rubens, 16, clocked a two-run total time of two minutes and 11.80 seconds. Emily Hamill of Calgary was second at 2:14.39 and Allison Empey of Calgary third in 2:15.38.
The Pontiac GMC Cup Series is a developmental series for Canada's young skiers who aspire to compete at the World Cup and Olympic level. It returned in 1998 and was formerly the Pontiac Cup Series from 1969 to 1981 which produced such champions as Ken Read, and World Cup champions Laurie Graham, Steve Podborski, Todd Brooker and Kathy and Laurie Kreiner.
Every Woman's champion since 1998, including Christina Risler, St
BC SKI TEAM MEN LAND THREE IN TOP-10
