Fraser in Front in Pontiac Cup Final Slalom – Leighton Earns Silver | BC Alpine Ski Association

Men's Slalom Podium, Nakiska Pontiac GMC Cup 2006 - Dustin Fraser (1), Jeff Crompton (2), Jeff Hume (3)
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Women's Slalom Podium, Nakiska Pontiac GMC Cup 2006 - Andrea Bliss (1), Alison Leighton (2), Janelle Miller (3)
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This leg of the Pontiac GMC Cup series wrapped up Sunday at Nakiska, Alberta, with the men's and women's slalom.

Quadra Island, BC native Dustin Fraser of the BC Ski Team took the men's gold finishing with the combined time of one minute, 52.92 seconds. Fraser, who just missed the podium in Saturday's slalom, was determined to come back on top today. Finishing 35 hundredths off the pace after first run, he did what he had to do to take the overall lead ahead of Calgary's Jeff Crompton.

“It was a pretty easy course and my second run was really fast, “said Fraser who finished 4th overall yesterday. ” I really went for it and knew I could make up the time 2nd run. The course was a lot less turny which gave me the opportunity to really pick up speed.”

Crompton, who has been pushing to move up the podium after coming third in Thursday's GS and in the slalom yesterday, was 2nd today with the time of 1:53.30.

Whistler's Jeff Hume, and recently retired National ski team athlete won the bronze in 1:55.39. Hume, who is a speed specialist, says he had a lot of fun racing against the Whistler Mountain Ski Team athletes and was very happy with the results by the entire Whistler team. Since retirement, Hume has joined the coaching staff in Whistler and is glad to be able to act as a good role model for his athletes.

On the women's side, Edmonton Alpine Sports Academy racer, Andrea Bliss was thrilled with her first Pontiac GMC Cup win.

“I am so happy right now, this feeling is awesome!” exclaimed Bliss in the finish. “I was in 2nd first run and I was really looking for the win so my focus paid off.”

Bliss was grateful for the support of her fellow team mates as well as her coach Mitchell Connor who offered her some valuable words of encouragement before her winning run.

Alison Leighton (Whistler, BC) won silver in 2:02.11 after an edgy second run lost her some time.

“I had a really good first run, “told Leighton who held the first run lead by 20 hundredths of a second. “I hope to stay consistent throughout the rest of the races series; I know I can be on the podium.”

Lethbridge racer Janelle Miller completed the women's podium with her combined time of 2:02.26, good for the bronze medal.

“My goal is to always ski like I do in training, “told Miller. ” I am proud of my results after coming off an injury last season. “Today is Miller's first Pontiac GMC Cup series podium of the season.

The next Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup will be held at Ski Bromont, Quebec on January 19-20, 2006. For the complete schedule of races see, http://www.canski.org/e/html/races/e_pontiaccup.htm.

Now in its eighth season the Pontiac GMC Cup series features 32 races in four provinces before the Canadian Championships in March at Whistler Mountain.

GM of Canada is the official sponsor and exclusive vehicle provider for Alpine Canada Alpin and the nation's premier developmental race series. For almost two decades, GM of Canada has supported the development of elite amateur ski racers in Canada. The Pontiac GMC Cup series from 1969 to 1981 produced Canadian international skiing greats, such as Ken Read, Laurie Graham, Steve Podborski, Todd Brooker, and Kathy and Laurie Kreiner.

RESULTS – SLALOM – JAN. 15, 2006 – PONTIAC GMC CUP AT NAKISKA, AB
MEN:

1. Dustin Fraser, Quathiaski Cove, BC., 1:52.92; 2. Jeff Crompton, Calgary,
1:53.30; 3. Jeff Hume, Whistler, BC., 1:55;39; 4. Cam Brewington, Calgary,
1:55.59; 5. Brady Leman, Calgary, 1:56.22; 6. Matthew Holler, Vancouver,
1:56.31; 7. Spencer Tonkinson, Calgary, 1:56.36; 8. Cory Canart, Beaumont,
Alta., 1:56.36; 9. Cory Kwong, Calgary, 1:57.23; 10. Ryan Farmin, US.,
1:57.30.

J1 Men Top-10:
1