Christina Lustenberger, of Invermere, BC, overcame a difficult second run to finish just off the podium in fourth place at the second consecutive Nor Am giant slalom race in as many days at Park City, Utah, Monday.
Following her podium performance on Sunday, where she earned herself a bronze medal, Lustenberger posted a total time of two minutes, 36.65 seconds in Monday's race – despite a rocky second run that included a little fall onto her hip. She tied with Austria's Christine Sponring, a World Cup silver medallist in the slalom.
“It was a very good series for Christina – she proved that she's competitive and she's now ranked second in the Nor Am GS standings, which is a goal for her,” said Hugues Ansermoz, head coach of the women's development group of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.
Lustenberger was followed closely by team mate Gail Kelly, who was second in last year's Nor Am overall giant slalom results. Kelly finished sixth with a total time of 2:36.79.
The next women's Nor Am races are scheduled for Lake Louise, Alberta, December 8 through December 14. In preparation for the downhill and Super G races that are on the agenda, Lustenberger and other Canadian Alpine Ski Team development athletes will be forerunning this week's World Cup races as part of the CIBC Lake Louise Winterstart series, and vying for one of the coveted starts in Friday, Saturday, and Sunday's race action.
Top 10:
1. (19) MANCUSO, Julia, USA, 2'35.47; 2. (6) RICHARDSON, Kaylin L, USA, 2'35.78; 3. (14) GERG, Annemarie, GER, 2'36.09; 4. (23) SPONRING, Christine, AUT, 2'36.65; 4. (3) LUSTENBERGER, Christina, Invermere, BC, 2'36.65; 6. (7) KELLY, Gail, Ste-Anges de Beauce, Que., 2'36.79; 7. (15) KIRCHGASSER, Michaela, AUT, 2'37.16; 8. (28) VIKEN, Line, NOR, 2'37.40; 9. (5) ROSS, Lauren, USA, 2'37.41; 10. (8) BERGMANN-SCHMUDERER, Monika, GER, 2'37.69.
Other Canadians:
17. (11) MC FETRIDGE, Gillian, CAN, 2'39.03
18. (13) SPLAWINSKI, Sophie, Montreal, Que., 2'39.54
25. (38) DURHAM, Jennah, Timmins, Ont., 2'40.89
31. (54) GOODMAN, Anna, Pointe-Claire, Que., 2'44.21
DNQ Maris Lush
DNF (1st run) Anna Prchal, Outremont, Que.
DNF (1st run) Brigitte Acton, Sault Ste-Marie, Ont.
DNF (2nd run) Julie Langevin, Mont Tremblant, Que.