BANFF, Alta. (February 8, 2009) – Ben Thomsen of Invermere, B.C., completed a golden sweep in the men’s giant slalom on Sunday at the Pontiac GMC Cup competition at Mount Norquay. On the women’s side, Tatum Monod of Banff put aside some recent frustrating performances to take the women’s GS.
In the men’s GS, Thomsen clocked a two-run time of 1:54.47. Sammy Kent of Whitehorse was second in 1:58.12 and Trevor Philip of Calgary was third in 1:58.46.
Philip Brown, of Toronto was disqualified in the second run but led by 0.04 seconds after the first run. Thomsen came back and dominated the field in the two-run final.
“I knew I had to have a great second run to take the lead from Philip,” said Thomsen, the winner in Saturday’s GS. “The run was really turny in some sections so you had to be smart and set up. I did a really long inspection of the course so that I could be smart and set-up for the tough parts. On the first run my pole slipped out of my hand and it took me a couple of gates to get it back.”
Kent, 20, broke his collarbone in October. This was his third race since coming back from the injury.
“I put two good runs together,” said Kent, now based at Nakiska, Alta. “This was a good result and I happy with the medal.”
Monod, a second-year Alberta provincial team member clocked a two-run time of one minute and 58.73 seconds for the victory in the women’s race. Alexandra McGinn of New Zealand hooked her hand on a gate in the second run but still got the silver in 2:00.83. Jennifer Saunders of Calgary was third in 2:02.02.
“I had a good first run and tried to focus on skiing clean and finishing the race,” said Monod, 17. It’s been very frustrating for me lately. I’ve crashed or skied out and not been able to finish. On the second run the sun went down and the light was flat which made it very challenging for us.”
Monod felt the setting was perfect for a strong performance.
“This is my favorite run in the world – it is long and steep,” she said. “I and the rest of the Alberta team were really inspired by John Kucera’s win at the world championships (on Saturday).”
Saunders, 16, is a rookie on the Alberta provincial team and earned her first career medal on the circuit.
“The first run was a little rocky but I made it down in one piece,” she said. “The second run was really rough and challenging but I had tons of fun.”
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.
COMPLETE OFFICIAL FIS RESULTS
Competition continues with men’s and women’s Slalom on Monday. Link to LIVE TIMING SITE
Women’s GS, Sunday Feb 8, Norquay
1 4 107061 MONOD Tatum 1991 CAN 59.43 59.30 1:58.73 42.27
2 5 415178 MCGLINN Alexandra 1992 NZE 59.53 1:01.30 2:00.83 57.83 (First J1)
3 7 107204 SAUNDERS Jennifer 1992 CAN 1:01.01 1:01.01 2:02.02 66.65 (Second J1)
4 9 415171 RAPLEY Taylor 1991 NZE 1:01.01 1:01.25 2:02.26 68.43
5 20 107156 MCLEISH Madison 1992 CAN 1:01.26 1:01.08 2:02.34 69.03 (Third J1)
6 16 107194 GRANT Jane 1992 CAN 1:02.05 1:02.05 2:04.10 82.07
7 11 107026 DAKIN Tessa 1991 CAN 1:02.62 1:01.62 2:04.24 83.11
8 8 107269 CARROLL Tianda 1993 CAN 1:02.37 1:02.55 2:04.92 88.15
9 2 415169 MILLER-BROWN Harriet 1991 NZE 1:04.20 1:00.85 2:05.05 89.11
10 13 107031 DORING Evanna 1991 CAN 1:02.57 1:02.51 2:05.08 89.33
11 1 107163 RYTZ Celine 1992 CAN 1:02.30 1:03.26 2:05.56 92.89
12 26 107243 STONE Tessa 1992 CAN 1:02.90 1:02.68 2:05.58 93.04
13 14 107106 CARROLL Emma 1991 CAN 1:04.30 1:02.20 2:06.50 99.86
14 19 107251 ALBOIU Vanessa 1993 CAN 1:03.97 1:03.14 2:07.11 104.38
14 15 107192 FREEMAN Sarah 1992 CAN 1:04.62 1:02.49 2:07.11 104.38
16 12 107310 RAMSDEN Jocelyn 1993 CAN 1:04.75 1:03.31 2:08.06 111.42
Men’s GS, Sunday, Feb 8, Norquay
1 1 103271 THOMSEN Benjamin 1987 CAN 57.37 57.10 1:54.47 36.23
2 10 103516 KENT Sammy 1989 CAN 59.78 58.34 1:58.12 64.29
3 15 103865 PHILP Trevor 1992 CAN 59.74 58.72 1:58.46 66.90 (First J1)
4 12 930073 COXON Kyle 1990 USA 1:00.14 58.33 1:58.47 66.98
5 29 103965 GIGIC Filip 1993 CAN 1:00.13 58.87 1:59.00 71.05 (Second J1)
6 11 103870 TIMMONS Connel 1992 CAN 59.91 59.52 1:59.43 74.36 (Third J1)
7 16 103670 BINKS Alexander 1991 CAN 1:00.83 58.62 1:59.45 74.51
8 4 103588 LUSH Curtis 1990 CAN 1:03.17 56.31 1:59.48 74.74
9 14 103558 DELESALLE Jay 1990 CAN 59.97 59.54 1:59.51 74.98
10 23 103999 MORRIS Spencer 1993 CAN 1:01.15 58.92 2:00.07 79.28
11 20 103557 DEKUR Michael 1990 CAN 1:00.65 59.58 2:00.23 80.51
12 25 934526 FRUTH Loudon 1991 USA 1:00.74 1:00.27 2:01.01 86.51
13 33 103994 MCKILLOP Curtis 1993 CAN 1:01.42 59.66 2:01.08 87.05
14 36 103985 LAVER William 1993 CAN 1:01.28 59.99 2:01.27 88.51
15 7 221017 HADLEY Jonathan 1986 GBR 1:02.64 58.71 2:01.35 89.12