In the first of two downhill races being held in the Nor-Am series in Aspen, Lustenberger led the way for BC athletes with a 20th place finish. Lusti, a veteran member of the BC Ski Team showed great ease considering it is her first DH in years. She was 11th and 15th in the turns and the coaches hope to have better splits on the flats for Sunday's DH. Whistler Mountain's Alison Leighton had a stellar day, starting in 64th, Leighton would up 40th. Leighton had a tough go in the three DH training runs this week and according to women's head coach Nancy-Jo O'Neill, “Alison showed remarkable composure for a 15 year old athlete.” In her first training run, she was out at the start and lost a ski. In the second training run she had a 30 minute hold on course waiting in the start. In the third and final downhill training run she was flagged as the athlete ahead had crashed. Today's finish for Leighton was the result of much hard work and patience.
Other BC Results:
Charlotte Whitney,(WMSC), 36th
Alison Leighton, (WMSC), 40th
Rachel Nixon, (VST), 42nd
Anastasia Skyrabina, (WMSC), 52nd
Women's downhill action continues on the Ruthie's Run course Sunday followed by two back to back women's super-G races Monday and Tuesday.
ASPEN NOR-AM DOWNHILL