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Edmonton skiers finished 1-2 in the women's slalom competition Sunday while Paul Stutz of Banff, Alta., took the men's race for a second straight day at the Pontiac GMC Cup competition being held at Silver Star Resort. BC Ski Team's Matt Holler was third after the first run and held that position to finish third over all. Okanagan Ski Team's Elli Terwiel sat in second after the first, to close the day in third place. Alison Leighton, who won gold on Saturday, finished just out of the medals in 4th place.
In the women's slalom, Anya Holinski of Edmonton notched her first win this season and first career victory on the circuit clocking a two-run time of 1:34.43. Andrea Bliss, also of Edmonton, took second spot at 1:34.45 and Elli Terwiel of Sun Peaks, B.C., was third for the second straight day at 1:35.19.
''It was a lot better than yesterday,'' said Holinski, 17. ''Today I had quick feet, sound movements and I was aggressive the whole way down. I didn't let the rough conditions bother me. I've been top-10, top-15 most of the year so it's nice to get the win.''
Bliss was the leader after the first run.
''I was happy after the first run,'' said Bliss. ''On the second run I didn't ski well but I still managed to hold on until the end. I felt some pressure heading into the second run as the leader. I tried to keep focused on my goals. On the second run I just didn't feel as comfortable, it wasn't as rhythmical as the first one.''
The second run was delayed as giant ruts emerged due to the soft snow which enveloped the courses over the last couple of days.
''My second run was a bit tentative there were some holes on the course,'' said Terwiel, 16. ''I think the delay does affect you a little bit. You always get pretty psyched up for a race, you're in the zone and then when you get a hold you have to start all over.''
On the men's side, Stutz made an amazing recovery from a near-spill at end of his second run to hold on for the gold in 1:27.73. Trevor White of Calgary was second for a second straight day in 1:28.04 and Matthew Holler of Vancouver and the BC Ski Team finished third in 1:30.20.
''I'm really pleased with how the weekend went,'' said Stutz. ''I came close to going out of the course but I did all I could to stay in. Near the finish I still tried to run it out at the speed I'm accustomed to and that made it a tight turn to the bottom.''
White posted the fastest time on the second run.
''My runs were a lot better yesterday,'' said White. ''The conditions were pretty tough but that's part of the sport. There's definitely tactics involved in these conditions. No one wants to ski slowly so you've got to find a balance between speed and caution.''
Holler admitted he was more focused for Sunday's races
''It was great,'' said Holler, 18, third after the first run. ''I was more mentally prepared today. On the second run, the course was a lot softer and I was mentally tough enough to push through the ruts. A lot of skiers were really fighting it.''
Men Top-15
1 6 STUTZ Paul 1983 CAN 40.67 47.06 1:27.73
2 8 WHITE Trevor 1984 CAN 41.43 46.61 1:28.04
3 2 HOLLER Matthew 1988 CAN 42.21 47.99 1:30.20
4 4 HUME Jeff 1979 CAN 42.95 47.32 1:30.27
5 3 STUART Cameron 1986 CAN 42.25 48.14 1:30.39
6 28 FORD Tommy 1989 USA 44.39 46.31 1:30.70
7 5 COLLINS Shane 1986 USA 43.05 48.15 1:31.20
8 21 HOWDEN Angus 1981 NZE 43.72 47.66 1:31.38
8 9 SCHEELE Chris 1988 CAN 43.06 48.32 1:31.38
10 11 WRONKO Taylor 1987 CAN 44.36 47.24 1:31.60
11 16 DILGER Michael 1981 USA 44.00 47.65 1:31.65
12 40 MACKIE Michael 1989 CAN 45.14 47.91 1:33.05
13 15 TICHY Martin 1973 CAN 45.18 47.89 1:33.07
14 48 TAFEL Tristan 1990 CAN 45.99 47.31 1:33.30
15 29 GRIFFIN Benjamin 1986 NZE 45.65 47.73 1:33.38
Women Top-15
1 8 HOLINSKI Anya 1989 CAN 47.33 47.10 1:34.43
2 11 BLISS Andrea 1989 CAN 46.90 47.55 1:34.45
3 12 TERWIEL Elli 1989 CAN 47.27 47.92 1:35.19
4 14 LEIGHTON Alison 1987 CAN 48.09 47.21 1:35.30
5 10 DAKERS Jessica 1984 CAN 47.83 47.52 1:35.35
6 15 BIRDGENEAU Kayla 1987 CAN 48.06 47.64 1:35.70
7 13 SERWA Kelsey 1989 CAN 49.01 47.19 1:36.20
8 18 PARKER Alexandra 1989 CAN 49.08 47.74 1:36.82
9 5 DELANEY Kara 1987 CAN 48.23 48.96 1:37.19
10 2 IRWIN Stephanie 1990 CAN 50.32 47.44 1:37.76
11 21 CORRA Marta 1988 ITA 50.35 48.34 1:38.69
12 31 MCARTHUR Jillian 1988 CAN 51.01 49.24 1:40.25
13 3 MAH Jennifer 1989 CAN 50.69 50.25 1:40.94
14 39 BAYLISS Deborah 1989 CAN 53.18 48.81 1:41.99
15 48 SAMER Nadia 1988 CAN 52.54 50.06 1:42.60
Cash prizes of $600, $450 and $250 are awarded to the top developmental skiers. 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.
Competition continues through to Tuesday.
OFFICIAL FIS RESULTS