bBANFF, Alta. – Ben Thomsen of Invermere, B.C., continued to be unbeatable at the Mount Norquay stop on the Pontiac GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit with a victory Monday in the men’s slalom. Jennifer Saunders of Calgary took the women’s race.
In the men’s slalom, Thomsen posted a two-run time of one minute and 34.34 seconds. Benjamin MacLean of Pemberton, B.C., was second in 1:34.47 and Kyle Coxon of the U.S., third in 1:34.82.
After giant slalom victories here on Saturday and Sunday, Thomsen was surprised to be on the top podium step again.
“This was my first slalom this season,” said Thomsen who has been focusing primarily in the speed events this winter. “I wasn’t too sure if I was going to make it to the bottom or not and I was very surprised to have the lead after the first run. That gave me a lot of confidence for the second run.”
In the women’s slalom, Saunders improved on Sunday’s bronze medal with the victory in 1:47.31. Terra Moran of Calgary was second in 1:47.62 and Tianda Carroll of Jasper, Alta., third in 1:49.39.
“It was another great race for me,” said Saunders, an Alberta Ski team member. “The first run was to my advantage being technical and fast plus I was the fifth racer down so the course was perfect. On the second run, I started 29th and it was a lot rougher on the pitch. But I pulled it off.”
Moran, also from the Alberta team, was elated with her performance.
“This race was a lot of fun,” she said. “I put two good runs together and did not make any major mistakes. My goal was to just keep attacking the course.”
Carroll, 15, was fourth after the first run.
“My first run was fantastic and super fun,” she said. “ The second run was rougher – but the course was so challenging and 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.
Competition ends Tuesday with a second slalom competition. Follow LIVE TIMING
Ladies Slalom Top 15 (Official Results)
1 5 SAUNDERS Jennifer 1992 CAN 52.74 54.57 1:47.31
2 6 MORAN Terra 1990 CAN 53.60 54.02 1:47.62
3 2 CARROLL Tianda 1993 CAN 54.25 55.14 1:49.39
4 7 IRWIN Stephanie 1990 CAN 54.89 55.28 1:50.17
5 3 RYTZ Celine 1992 CAN 54.86 55.70 1:50.56
6 8 RAPLEY Taylor 1991 NZE 55.87 55.29 1:51.16
7 16 ORDMAN Hannah 1992 CAN 55.91 55.58 1:51.49
8 10 CARROLL Emma 1991 CAN 56.35 55.16 1:51.51
9 1 DORING Evanna 1991 CAN 56.91 54.99 1:51.90
10 15 FREEMAN Sarah 1992 CAN 58.01 57.56 1:55.57
11 13 DAKIN Tessa 1991 CAN 59.73 56.52 1:56.25
12 28 DIELENSCHNEIDER Sarah 1989 GER 59.02 58.03 1:57.05
13 31 DRIVER Amanda 1992 CAN 58.81 59.56 1:58.37
14 30 GIBSON Kaitlyn 1993 CAN 1:00.36 58.15 1:58.51
15 65 STEVENS Alexandra 1993 CAN 59.66 59.80 1:59.46
Men’s Slalom Top 15 (Official)
1 5 THOMSEN Benjamin CAN WINDR 46.74 47.60 1:34.34
2 13 MACLEAN Benjamin CAN WHIST 47.76 46.71 1:34.47
3 6 COXON Kyle USA 48.51 46.31 1:34.82
4 14 PHILP Trevor CAN BANFF 48.30 47.15 1:35.45
5 10 BARWOOD Adam NZE 49.23 47.28 1:36.51
6 41 MORRIS Spencer CAN WHIST 49.91 47.23 1:37.14
7 22 DELESALLE Jay CAN NATC 50.37 47.27 1:37.64
8 9 DEANS Ian CAN BIGWH 49.91 48.27 1:38.18
9 37 VAUGEOIS Sean CAN SUNSH 50.15 48.50 1:38.65
10 38 STEVENS Richard NZE 50.86 48.84 1:39.70
11 69 SPENCE Devin CAN BIGWH 50.93 49.33 1:40.26
12 24 BIGSBY Adam CAN LKLSE 50.35 50.42 1:40.77
13 31 DEKUR Michael CAN WHIST 51.06 49.75 1:40.81
14 34 SMITH Sean CAN WHIST 51.11 50.11 1:41.22
15 28 LAVER William CAN SUNSH 51.47 50.06 1:41.53