In the women's giant slalom, Shona Rubens of Calgary was the winner in two minutes, 08.95 seconds, with Janelle Miller of Lethbridge, Alta., second in 2:09.69 and Alison Hunter of Calgary third in 2:10.00.
''I just went for it, I had nothing to lose,'' said Rubens, who is racing part-time this season in order to concentrate on her final year of high school. ''I was pretty surprised to win.''
Miller found the course more to her liking on Friday after placing fourth in Thursday's giant slalom. ''The course was more technical today,'' said Miller. ''And I tend to do better on a more demanding course, especially in the giant slalom.''
Hunter lost a pole and glove on the first run but still stood in third spot. Then she charged back with the fastest time on the second run but couldn't gain any ground on the leaders. ''I've had a slow start this season,'' she said. ''But it's starting to pick-up now. I'm looking forward to some more training so I can get better results.''
BC saw four women in top 10 positions after Friday's final Giant Slalom event, on what has been referred to as a “challenging hill”. Megan Kidston (100 Mile House, BC and Sun Peaks Alpine Club) took the 7th spot while Anastasia Skryabina (Whistler Mountain Ski Club), Rachel Nixon (Cypress Ski Club/VST) and Katherine Clark (Grouse Tyee/VST) finished 8th, 9th and 10th respectively. Kendall Benbow of Whistler Mountain Ski Club and BCST was just out of the top 10, closing the day in 11th place.
The Pontiac GMC Cup circuit was conceived 35 years ago, first as the Pontiac
Cup Series from 1969 to 1981 before it was rekindled and renamed in 1998 as
the Pontiac GMC Cup. It is a developmental circuit for Canada's young
alpine skiers who aspire to compete at the World Cup and Olympic level. This
year's crop is expected to be in its prime for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
There are 16 races across Canada this season culminating with the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships March 16-24 at Le Massif and Mont
Sainte-Anne, Que. More than $50,000 in prize money is up for grabs.
Competition continues Saturday with a men's and women's slalom.
Women: 1. Shona Rubens, Calgary, 2:08.95; 2. Janelle Miller, Lethbridge,
Alta., 2:09.69; 3. Alison Hunter, Calgary, 2:10.00; 4. Allison Empey,
Calgary, 2:11.39; 5. Izzy Lynch, Calgary, 2:11.92; 6. Victoria Hockley,
Calgary, 2:12.38; 7. Megan Kidston, 100 Mile House, B.C., 2:13.13; 8.
Anastasia Skryabina, Whistler, B.C., 2:14.00; 9. Rachel Nixon, Delta, B.C.,
2:15.22; 10. Katherine Clark, Vancouver, 2:18.31.