SUN PEAKS, B.C. – Wiktoria Glowczynski of Sun Peaks and the BC Ski Team earned her first career victory on the Pontiac GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit in decisive style on Saturday with a three-second plus victory in the women’s slalom event.
Glowczynski clocked 1:44.12 over two runs in a dominating performance on her home mountain. Tatum Monod of Banff, Alta., was second in 1:47.20 and Terra Moran of Calgary third in 1:48.15.
‘’The first run I had a little wobble at the top but if you fight through that you can make up a lot of time,’’ said Glowczynski, 18. ‘’The bottom of the course is pretty flat so it’s anybody’s game. And I didn’t let up on the second run. I really wanted to get the win today.’’
Monod wanted to get off to a better start.
‘’After the first run I was upset,’’ said Monod, whose aunt skied alongside Nancy Greene on the national team. ‘’I made so many mistakes. The second run didn’t go well either so I’m surprised to be in second. Being on the podium here is a real confidence booster.’’
Moran also was surprised to have a medal hung around her neck.
‘’I didn’t think I skied very well,’’ she said. ‘’I screwed up on the first run and the second one was challenging, but no one felt comfortable so it turned out alright. Slalom isn’t traditionally my best event but lately I’ve had some success.’’
In men’s competition, Luca Moretti of Italy took the gold in 1:44.37, Jonathan Hadley of Britain was second in 1:44.44 and Sean Alexander of Calgary third in 1:44.58.
Hadley, is a dual citizen, who races internationally for Britain. His hometown is Clarksburg, Ont., and his club is Edmonton Alpine Sports Academy.
‘’I had some ground to make on the second run and I was able to that,’’ said Hadley, also runner-up in Friday’s giant slalom. ‘’The course suited my style a bit more and I felt I could let it go. I stuck to my game plan and it worked out pretty good.’’
Alexander stepped on the podium for a third straight day. He hopes he can get his first gold in Sunday’s slalom.
‘’The first run wasn’t a feel good course and the scoreboard wasn’t working so I thought I was way back,’’ said Alexander, who was in fact second after the first run. ‘’In the second run I just didn’t give it enough to get to the top. The slalom has been a good event for me this year and I wanted to keep that going here.’’
The Pontiac GMC Cup is Canada’s national development race series geared towards the development of Canada’s future champions. The series has produced past Canadian skiing greats such as Ken Read and Kathy Kreiner and current national team stars Kelly VanderBeek, Michael Janyk and François Bourque. The series features races in four provinces culminating with the 2008 Pontiac GMC Cup Canadian Championships at Whistler, B.C., February 6-12 (speed events) and Mont-Ste-Anne, Le Relais and Stoneham March 18-23 (technical races).
Competition continues through to Sunday.
Saturday’s leading results at the Pontiac GMC Cup alpine skiing competition :
Slalom
Men: 1. Luca Moretti, Italy, 1:44.37; 2. Jonathan Hadley, Britain, 1:44.44; 3. Sean Alexander, Calgary, 1:44.58; 4. Mathieu Leduc, Comox, B.C., 1:45.39; 5. Cory Canart, Beaumont, Alta., 1:45.66; 6. Jamie Philp, Calgary, 1:45.92; 7. Benjamin Thomsen, Invermere, B.C., 1:46.70; 8. Jake Baker, U.S., 1:47.15; 9. Morgan Pridy, Whistler, B.C., 1:47.50; 10. Tyler Werry, Fernie, B.C., 1:47.50
64. Chris Campbell, 2:13.78
Nathan Stewart, DNF
Colin Bailey, DNF
Women: 1. Wictoria Glowczynski, Sun Peaks, B.C., 1:44.12; 2. Tatum Monod, Banff, Alta., 1:47.20; 3. Terra Moran, Calgary, 1:48.15; 4. Sandra MacDonald, Summerland, B.C., 1:48.39; 5. Nicole Poleschuk, Calgary, 1:48.59; 6. Leslie Brenner, Banff, 1:49.13; 7. Jessica Young, Calgary, 1:50.40; 8. Charlotte, Newbold, New Zealand, 1:50.69; 9. Harriet Miller-Brown, New Zealand, 1:51.14; 10. Deirdre Moran, Calgary, 1:52.80
19. Kerri MacGowan, 1:55.83
41. Julia Marks, 2:12.05
Danalee Harvey, DNF
Samatha Weckworth, DNF
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Information
Janice Avon
Pontiac GMC Cup