Elli Terwiel returns from injury to win Nor-Am Cup Slalom at Panorama | BC Alpine Ski Association

ALPINE CANADA ALPIN
News Release

COUPE NOR-AM CUP WIN BRINGS PLENTY OF EMOTIONS FOR TERWIEL
Terwiel returns after 15 months rehab knee injury to earn first Nor-Am win

PANORAMA, BC (December 14, 2009) – A “shocked” and “emotional” Elli Terwiel (Sun Peaks Alpine Club) made it all the way back to the podium today, earning the first Nor-Am Cup victory of her career.

Terwiel returned to the Nor-Am Cup race series earlier this month, following 15 months off snow to rehab a left knee injury that occurred while training in 2008. Terwiel had the fastest time in both runs during today’s ladies slalom at Panorama Mountain Village, winning to a two-run combined time of one minute 50.08 seconds.

“I was actually pretty shocked,” said the 19-year-old Terwiel, who had finished 25th and 29th in two Nor-Am slalom races in Colorado prior to coming to Panorama. She placed fourth in yesterday’s slalom in Panorama.

“There are so many emotions. When I crossed the finish line and saw my time, the first thing I was thinking about was all the time I had just spent on crutches and the pain I put myself through over the past year. To see how far I have come, from relearning how to walk last January, it is a pretty awesome feeling,” said Terwiel, who tore the ACL and had other injuries after a training crash in Pitztal, AUT in October of 2008.

She said today’s slalom was a challenging course set, which she likes, and she was on a hill she is very comfortable with.

“I’m from B.C., and going through the system, the BC team did most of our pre-season training here and I also raced here a lot. I actually had my first ever FIS-race here,” Terwiel said. “I think I have spent more time at Panorama than any other mountain, other than my home mountain which is Sun Peaks.”

The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup event in Panorama, BC continues tomorrow with a ladies GS and men’s slalom.

COMPLETE EVENT RESULTS: (Today’s results may not be immediately available.) 

LIVE TIMING  

 1  2 TERWIEL Elli  1989  CAN   52.04  58.04  1:50.08
 2  13 HEMMINGSSON Malin  1985  SWE   52.20  58.65  1:50.85
 3  5 RYLEY Kate  1989  CAN   52.84  59.01  1:51.85
 4  14 BRUSLETTO Anne Cecilie  1988  NOR   53.27  58.83  1:52.10
 5  3 RYLEY Megan  1986  CAN   52.77  1:00.00  1:52.77
 6  23 MATSOTSKA Bogdana  1989  UKR   54.52  58.33  1:52.85
 7  8 JARVIS Sarah  1986  NZE   52.97  1:00.01  1:52.98
 8  30 SKRYABINA Anastasiya  1985  UKR   53.69  59.73  1:53.42
 9  16 FORD Julia  1990  USA   53.83  59.74  1:53.57
 10  20 KISTLER Lizzie  1992  USA   54.59  59.12  1:53.71
 11  7 DELANEY Devin  1991  USA   53.61  1:00.86  1:54.47
 12  10 GHENT Erika  1988  USA   54.36  1:00.28  1:54.64
 13  17 ROSS Laurenne  1988  USA   55.27  1:00.84  1:56.11
 14  42 ROTH Julia  1993  CAN   55.39  1:01.14  1:56.53
 15  38 PETERSON Foreste  1993  USA   55.38  1:01.53  1:56.91
 16  45 FREEMAN Sarah  1992  CAN   56.46  1:00.61  1:57.07 – TOP BC TEAM FINISH