BC Ski Team Alumnus has podium finish with the Canadian Ski Cross team

ST. JOHANN, AUT (January 5, 2009) – In her first World Cup Ski Cross event ever, Canada’s Kelsey Serwa (Kelowna, BC) rockets to a bronze medal. A rookie to the team, Serwa surprised all as she held on, in difficult conditions, to secure a 3^rd place at the St. Johann, AUT World Cup night race.

Looking impressive in her first heat, Serwa had 3^rd lane choice and was able to secure the hole shot out of the start and held it to the finish. In the semifinal round Serwa, looking impressive again took the hole shot but lost the lead on a difficult right hand turn but was able to hold on to 2^nd place and secure a spot in the final.

Drawing a difficult start, Serwa left the gate and settled into 4^th spot behind Marion Josserand (FRA), Katharina Gutensohn (AUT) and World #1 Ophelie David (FRA). Skiing smart and waiting for an opening Serwa watched as David prereleased out of her ski and was forced from the race, leaving Serwa in 3^rd spot on the day.

“I had a really difficult lane from the start and knew I had my work cut out for me. Let’s face it I was already pretty excited about being in the final of my first Ski Cross World Cup ever and when I saw Ophelie lose a ski I thought ‘whoa! I’m on the podium!’ at that point I wanted to continue to ski smart to the finish.” Said Serwa

After being released from the Canadian Alpine Ski Team at the end of last season Kelsey Serwa (Kelowna, BC.) had some quick thinking to do about her future. Alpine spring events in Quebec had just finished and there was a tight window for her to hop a flight back to her native BC to compete in the Canadian Ski Cross Championships where she placed 2nd.

When asked about the events of the last year Serwa said, “Third place in today’s race at St. Johann, AUT pretty much validates the decision to make the move to Ski Cross. It’s really exciting to be a part of a new Olympic Sport and get the opportunity to possibly compete in the Olympics in front of a home town crowd!”

On the Men’s side, Chris DelBosco (Sudbury, ONT) had a strong day finishing the in 7^th spot. DelBosco battled through the heat after being seeded with world #1, Thomas Kraus (CZE) in each heat. In the semifinal heat DelBosco was sitting in second spot behind Casey Puckett but was unable to fend off Andreas Matt (AUT).

“I was actually pretty psyched to be seeded with Kraus in every heat, he’s the world number one and it’s always great to gage yourself against the best. I feel really good about today, it’s a better start than last season and it feels like I’m picking up where I left off.” Said DelBosco

Another rookie Brady Leman (Calgary, AB) was Canada’s top skier in yesterdays qualifier but was eliminated in the 2^nd round after a tangle off a jump with Sylvain Miaillier (FRA). Leman, also competing in his first World Cup race, finished the day in an impressive 11^th place.

Veteran Stanley Hayer (Calgary, AB), started the first heat with a hole shot but lost ground on a fall away turn and was unable to recover after being passed by Ted Piccard (FRA) and Robin Lenel (FRA)

RESULTS FROM ST. JOHANN AUSTRIA WORLD CUP

LADIES

1 – JOSSERAND Marion FRA

2 – GUTENSOHN Katharina AUT

3 – SERWA Kelsey CAN

4 – DAVID Ophelie FRA

5 – BERNTSEN Hedda NOR

6 – SCHAEDLER Sarah LIE

7 – OFNER Katrin AUT

8 – LUEDI Sanna

MEN’S

1 – SCHMID Michael SUI