ANDERSON RETAINS NOR AM DOWNHILL STANDINGS LEAD WITH BIG WIN AT BIG MOUNTAIN | BC Alpine Ski Association

David Anderson CAST 2003
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With only one more downhill to go this season, Rossland's David Anderson continues to lead the men's Nor Am downhill standings, following Tuesday's win at Big Mountain, Montana.

Anderson laid down the fastest run of the day at one minute, 29.48 seconds to lead the field in the second-last Nor Am downhill of the season. Though originally scheduled to run Wednesday and Thursday, forecasted poor weather has forced race organizers to bump up the final Nor Am speed events of the season, with the downhills now running Tuesday, Wednesday, and men's Super G races to follow.

Joining Anderson on the podium was Canadian Alpine Ski Team mate Manuel Osborne-Paradis who collected bronze on Tuesday to add to the World Junior bronze medal he garnered in the men's Super G in Maribor, Slovenia, two weeks ago. American Justin J. (“JJ”) Johnson finished second in 1:30.27.

The Canadian men had a strong presence in the top-10 where they took half the spots, including fourth which went to Calgary's John Kucera (1:30.35), seventh to Banff's Paul Stutz (1:30.91), and ninth to Sean Cochrane of Prince George, BC (1:31.49).

Cameron Barnes, the only other national team member taking part in Tuesday's race, was 11th, while Robbie Dixon of Whistler and the BC Ski Team raced into the number 15 position.

In the women's downhill, which started off the day's race action at Big Mountain, the Americans swept the podium with Stacey Cook taking top honours with her run time of 1:33.98. Bryna McCarty who was runner-up in both Nor Am Super Gs on the weekend earned another silver medal on Tuesday, while Lauren Van Ness took third in 1:34.55.

Pointe-Claire, Que., resident Anna Goodman