The fog at the finish began to clear as the final racers came down, but Whistler's Britt Janyk already had a firm grip on the women's GS title with a commanding 2.13-second lead at the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships in Whistler on Tuesday. Competing in front of a home-town crowd, Janyk defended her GS title and captured her second win of this year's Championships.
Christina Lustenberger of the BC Ski Team delighted onlookers when she finished fifth, just 16 one hundredths of a second behind fourth place Allison Forsyth (BC/Canadian Alpine Ski Team) and only a little over half a second off the podium.
“This was a huge day for Christina.” said Nancy-Jo O'Neill, coach for the women's BC Team. “In my opinion, she's now showing her maturity in her skiing and in her tactics especially, proving that she can go head to head with the best in the world.”
O'Neill also mentioned that Lustenberger had a bit of a fall on her second run. “Who knows what would have happened without the hip-check she did!”
Danielle Poleschuk of Fernie, BC finished in 23rd spot in the GS. “Danielle is making a good comeback after an injury earlier in the season.” said coach O'Neill. “She's a little disappointed, but I'm very happy with her progress after this race.”
O'Neill was also “impressed” with the performances of Megan Kidston of 100 Mile House (24th) and Alison Leighton of Whistler (26th). “I'm seeing some really good skiing by those two girls!”
Allison Forsyth, who won bronze in Giant Slalom at the World Championships, made some mistakes in the first run which left her in fifth, but then won the second run to wind up fourth for the day.
A decision will be made at the team captain's meeting on Tuesday evening as to what Wednesday's schedule will look like.
PONTIAC GMC CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
WHISTLER, B.C.
Lustenberger shines in Giant Slalom at Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships
