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Kelly VanderBeek, of Kitchener, Ont., posted her first Nor Am Cup win of the season at the women's Super G in Big Mountain, Montana, Friday.
VanderBeek, who competed in the speed disciplines on the World Cup circuit all season, posted the winning time of one minute, 32.67 seconds, to lead the field. She finished a mere .01 seconds ahead of American Bryna McCarty who took second. Katie Beadsley of the U.S. was third in 1:33.24.
The race was riddled with DNFs, with 35 of 66 competitors failing to finish their run on a challenging course. Despite the difficulties, four Canadians held on to join VanderBeek in the American-dominated top-15, including Calgary's Sherry Lawrence who finished sixth, Charlotte Whitney of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, who was ninth, Calgary's Emily Hamill who placed 10th, and Janelle Miller of Lethbridge, Alberta who finished 13th.
Alison Hunter, originally from Ontario, but now living in Calgary, posted a 19th-place finish while Alison Leighton of Whistler and the BC Ski Team, who just last month led the women at the Mars Canadian Junior (J1) Championships, was 20th.
Megan Kidston of the Sun Peaks Alpine Club, Kristen Tarchuk, and Taryn O'Flynn all cracked the top-30, finishing 21st, 22nd, and 29th respectively.
Among those who were unfortunate to fall into the DNF category were Canadian Alpine Ski Team racers Jennah Durham of Timmins and Anna Goodman of Pointe-Claire – both of whom are new to the speed disciplines this season. Other Canadians who failed to finish were Sara-Maude Boucher who is working towards rejoining the national team, Maris Lush, Allison Empey, and recent World Junior Championships team members Julie Rabnett and Jessica Dakers of Calgary.
Action resumes at Big Mountain on Saturday with a second women's Super G.
Top 10 (unofficial):
1. Kelly VanderBeek, Kitchener, Ont., 1:32.67; 2. Bryna McCarty, USA, 1:32.68; 3. Katie Beadsley, USA, 1:33.24; 4. Stacey J. Cook, USA, 1:33.27; 5. Caitlin Ciccone, USA, 1:33.28; 6. Sherry Lawrence, Calgary, Alta., 1:34.15; 7. Suki Horton, USA, 1:34.72; 8. Alexandra Shaffer, USA, 1:34.96; 9. Charlotte Whitney, Whistler, BC, 1:36.46; 10. Emily Hamill, Calgary, Alta., 1:36.92; 10. Mattie Ford, USA, 1:36.92.
Other Canadians:
13. Janelle Miller, Lethbridge, Alta., 1:37.10
19. Alison Hunter, Calgary, Alta., 1:38.48
20. Alison Leighton, Whistler, BC, 1:38.57
21. Megan Kidston, 100 Mile House, BC, 1:38.60
22. Kristen Tarchuk, Banff, Alta., 1:38.65
29. Taryn O'Flynn, Beaumont, Alta., 1:41.12
DNF Maris Lush, Milton, Ont.
DNF Allison Empey, Calgary, Alta.
DNF Jennah Durham, Timmins, Ont.
DNF Sara-Maude Boucher, St-Denis de Brompton, Que.
DNF Anna Goodman, Pointe-Claire, Que.
DNF Julie Rabnett, Calgary, Alta.
DNF Jessica Dakers, Calgary, Alta.