BANFF, Alta. (February 7/09) – Benjamin Thomsen of Invermere, B.C., won the gold medal Saturday in the men’s giant slalom to kick-off the the western portion of the Pontiac GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit at Mount Norquay.
Thomsen, the defending overall champion on the circuit, clocked a two-run time of one minute and 50.03 seconds. Curtis Lush of Collingwood, Ont., was second in 1:51.17 and Kitt Flowers of the U.S., third in 1:52.07.
“I had two solid runs from top to bottom,” said Thomsen, 21. “On the second run I just focused on going hard all the way and keeping my lead – I did not want to let up.”
Lush was happy to be on the podium after not finishing the first or second run in five of his last six races.
“I was happy with the first run after a rough four days of racing on the Nor Am circuit,” he said. “On the second run I got everything going and was able to channel my energy on a solid run.This was my first medal this season and I’m looking forward to the slalom which is my best event.”
In the women’s GS, Taylor Rapley of New Zealand was the winner in 1:56.97. Terra Moran of Calgary was second in 1:57.11 and Stephanie Irwin of Calgary third in 1:57.27.
“I felt awesome today and really stepped it up from training,” said Rapley, 17, first after the opening run and with the second fastest time on the second. “It is my first podium in Canada so I am very excited and I’m looking forward to more racing at Norquay.”
Moran, 18, of the Alberta Ski Team earned her first career podium on the circuit.
“I screwed up a bit on my first run but I still managed to post the third best time,” she said. “I have not finished many races this season so I am very please with the medal. The course was great, the snow was perfect and it was a really fun race.”
Irwin, 18, of the Canadian Development Team posted a stunning result in her first race since undergoing knee surgery following the end of last season.
“I am so happy with the podium,” said Irwin second after the first run. “The knee felt great and I just got into race mode. I made a few mistakes on the first run and the second run was rough. Still I’m pleased with the race.”
This is the 40th anniversary of the inception of the Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup. The series is the brain-child of Olympic Champion Nancy Greene Raine, who approached General Motors with the concept of creating a strong domestic series for up-and-coming Canadian alpine racers to compete with the best across the country. GM of Canada has a rich history as a benefactor to communities and to amateur support. Thus, the original Pontiac Cup series was launched, and out of it came some of Canada’s best alpine racers including Kathy Kreiner, Gerry Sorensen, Laurie Graham, Karen Percy, and the Crazy Canucks.
Banff Mount Norquay has a long history as an important training venue for Canadian athletes and of hosting major events, including previous Pontiac GMC Cups and Canadian Championships. This is the second successive year to host and support Canada’s young ski racers and future Olympic athletes.
Competition continues Sunday. Link to LIVE TIMING
Men’s Giant Slalom, Mt. Norquay Pontiac GMC Cup (Unofficial Top 15)
1 5 THOMSEN Benjamin CAN WINDR 54.91 55.12 1:50.03
2 4 LUSH Curtis CAN TSCBM 56.23 54.94 1:51.17
3 3 FLOWERS Kitt USA 56.54 55.53 1:52.07
4 1 BANSMER Michael USA 56.06 56.40 1:52.46
5 22 PREBBLE Nick NZE 56.66 55.97 1:52.63
6 14 MACLEAN Benjamin CAN WHIST 58.97 54.56 1:53.53
7 9 ROSS Dylan CAN BANFF 56.70 57.25 1:53.95
8 8 PHILP Trevor CAN BANFF 57.38 57.18 1:54.56
9 15 DELESALLE Jay CAN NATC 56.82 57.77 1:54.59
10 25 KONANTZ William CAN WHIST 58.37 57.55 1:55.92
11 2 HADLEY Jonathan GBR 59.70 57.06 1:56.76
12 33 MCKILLOP Curtis CAN BANFF 59.38 58.24 1:57.62
13 29 GIGIC Filip CAN NATC 1:00.25 57.40 1:57.65
14 20 DEKUR Michael CAN WHIST 59.51 58.70 1:58.21
15 32 STEVENS Richard NZE 59.03 59.20 1:58.23
Women’s Giant Slalom, Mt. Norquay Pontiac GMC Cup (Unofficial Top 15)
1 9 RAPLEY Taylor NZE 58.34 58.63 1:56.97
2 2 MORAN Terra CAN NATC 59.14 57.97 1:57.11
3 4 IRWIN Stephanie CAN BANFF 58.95 58.32 1:57.27
4 20 MCLEISH Madison CAN WHIST 59.57 58.59 1:58.16 (First J1)
5 13 RAMSDEN Jocelyn CAN WHIST 59.14 59.34 1:58.48 (Second J1)
6 11 FREEMAN Sarah CAN FERNI 59.74 58.86 1:58.60 (Third J1)
7 6 SAUNDERS Jennifer CAN NATC 59.96 58.93 1:58.89
8 5 RYTZ Celine CAN FERNI 1:00.70 59.48 2:00.18
9 15 CARROLL Tianda CAN EASA 1:00.00 1:00.19 2:00.19
10 30 ELLIOT Sarah CAN BIGWH 1:00.80 59.62 2:00.42
11 14 CARROLL Emma CAN EASA 59.97 1:00.45 2:00.42
12 12 JONES Alex CAN BIGWH 59.76 1:00.70 2:00.46
13 10 DAKIN Tessa CAN EASA 1:00.07 1:00.78 2:00.85
14 19 ALBOIU Vanessa CAN NATC 1:00.83 1:00.41 2:01.24
15 25 STONE Tessa CAN REDMT 1:01.50 1:00.33 2:01.83