Minus 20 degree Celsius temperatures challenged the racers' spirits in the start Thursday at the first Nor-Am giant slalom race at Winter Park, Colorado; however the young women of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team didn't let the chilly temperatures hamper their performance in the race.
American Jessica Kelley took first place by only 4 hundredths of a second with the time of one minute, 59.55 seconds, in today's giant slalom in Colorado. Right on her heels, was Invermere's Christina Lustenberger, with a race time of one minute, 59.59 seconds. As a rookie to the National Development Alpine Ski team Lustenberger, is hoping to succeed her four, top-5 Nor-Am finishes from 2003, this season. Claiming bronze was Croatian Ana Jelusic with a time of two minutes, 00.06 seconds.
Quebec native, Emilie Desforges skied into 5th place today with the time of two minutes, 00.24 seconds.
The women battle the freezing temperatures again tomorrow in Winter Park with a second giant slalom race and the final race of this 4-day series.
TOP-15
1. KELLEY Jessica C, USA, 1:59.55;
2. LUSTENBERGER Christina, CAN, 1:59.59;
3. JELUSIC Ana, CRO, 2:00.06;
4. STIEGLER Resi, USA, 2:00.18;
5. DESFORGES Emilie, CAN, 2:00.24;
6. ROSS Lauren, USA, 2:00.40;
7. COSTAZZA Chiara, ITA, 2:00.69;
8. ACTON Brigitte, CAN, 2:00.91;
9. MIELKE Kristen, USA, 2:01.04;
10. JANYK Britt, CAN, 2:01.06;
Other Canadian Results
18. GOODMAN Anna, CAN, 2:02.39
45. LUSH Maris, CAN, 2:11.50
DNF 1
RYLEY Megan, CAN
BEAUPRE Veronique, CAN
DNF 2
RABNETT Julie, CAN