ALPINE CANADA NEWS – Michael Janyk claims historic slalom bronze
VAL D’ISÈRE, FRA (February 15, 2009) – Michael Janyk (Whistler, BC) made Canadian ski racing history today by claiming bronze in slalom, becoming the first Canadian male to medal in a technical event at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.
Sitting ninth after the opening run, Janyk charged down a steep and icy Piste Bellevarde to finish both courses with a combined time of one minute 45.70 seconds. Janyk was able to hold on to third place as several racers went out in the second run and others failed to match his time,.
“Coming into today, I knew that I was fast and that this was possible,” said Janyk who surprised everyone with Canada’s second medal at these 40th World Alpine Ski Championships following John Kucera’s (Calgary, AB) win in the downhill event earlier this week.
“Now that it has actually happened, it’s unreal,” added the 26 years old Canadian racer who’s been back on the World Cup circuit full time after being sidelined last season due to a back injury.
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