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Manuel Osborne-Paradis, the World Junior Super G silver-medallist, won Friday's men's Nor Am Super G at Big Mountain, Montana. The victory allowed the North Vancouver resident to move into third-place – a mere 19 points out of second-place and a World Cup berth for next season – in the discipline's overall standings.
Osborne-Paradis, a rookie on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team this year, crossed the finish in one minute, 36.90 seconds to lead the field. Fellow national team rookie John Kucera of Calgary joined Osborne-Paradis on the podium, taking third-place in 1:37.15. American Andre Horton was second in 1:37.13.
The two junior-aged racers led the Canadian contingent – seven of whom ranked in the top-15. Banff's Paul Stutz and Prince George's Sean Cochrane finished eighth and ninth respectively, while current Super G standings leader David Anderson of Rossland, BC, was 13th, followed closely by Canmore's Cameron Barnes (14th) and Whistler's Scott Hume (15th).
Only two other Canadians made their way into the top-30 in Friday's Super G – the second-to-last men's speed event of the 2003-04 Nor Am circuit. Everett Findlay finished 20th, while Calgary's Gareth Sine was 24th.
The final men's Super G is set to run on Saturday, at which point two World Cup berths will be awarded for the 2005 season – one to each of the top-two finishers. Defending champion David Anderson is currently leading the men's Super G standings, followed by American Wade Bishop in second. Osborne-Paradis' performance on Friday moved him up into third, only 19 points behind Bishop.
The women are competing in their final Nor Am Super G events of the season at Panorama Mountain Village on Sunday and Monday.
Top 10:
1. Manuel Osborne-Paradis, Vancouver, BC, 1:36.90; 2. Andre Horton, USA, 1;37.13; 3. John Kucera, Calgary, Alta., 1:37.15; 4. Justin J Johnson, USA, 1:37.35; 5. Wade H Bishop, USA, 1:37.38; 6. Kevin Francis, USA, 1:37.48; 7. Jeremy Transue, USA, 1;37.73; 8. Paul Stutz, Banff, Alta., 1:37.84; 9. Sean Cochrane, Prince George, BC, 1:37.85; 10. Andrew Weibrecht, USA, 1:37.87.
Other Canadians:
13. David Anderson, Rossland, BC, 1:38.16
14. Cameron Barnes, Canmore, Alta., 1:38.20
15. Scott Hume, Whistler, BC, 1:38.31
20. Everett Findlay, Collingwood, Ont., 1:38.71
24. Gareth Sine, Calgary, Alta., 1:39.12
34. Dustin McLeay, Calgary, Alta., 1:39.99
35. Brett Haney, Calgary, Alta., 1:40.03
36. Dustin Fraser, Quathiaski Cove, BC, 1:40.21
39. Ben Chaddock, Richmond, BC, 1:40.39
42. Trevor Conroy, Londonberry, NS, 1:40.66
50. Graham Kraft, Vernon, BC, 1:41.32
DNF Shawn MacKenzie, Edmonton, Alta.
DNF Trevor White, Calgary, Alta.
DNF Robbie Dixon, Whistler, BC