Alpine Canada News Release:
PANORAMA, BC (December 16, 2009) – Georgia Simmerling (West Vancouver/Grouse Tyee Ski Club) says she surprised even herself a little bit, by leading after the opening run of today’s Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup in B.C.’s Panorama Mountain Village.
Simmerling skied a solid final run to finish today’s ladies giant slalom in second place, capturing the first Nor-Am Cup podium of her career in a two-run time of two minutes 06.62 seconds.
“I am definitely thrilled with my result today. I didn’t know I had it in me to turn those skis as quick as I needed to,” joked Simmerling, who is know more for top results in the speed disciplines of downhill and super-G. She has never won a Nor-Am race but now has seven podium results in three disciplines.
“I’ve been a little annoyed in the past because I have been so close to winning in the speed disciplines but I will take second place in (a technical race) any day,” added the 20-year-old who joined the national development team in 2007.
“I haven’t had as much confidence in GS coming into the races because I have done a lot of speed training the last few months. But I am extremely happy with my result and pumped for the super-G two days from now.”
Norway’s Anne Cecilie Brusletto won for the second day in a row, finishing 0.14s ahead of Simmerling as temperatures actually rose to the negative teens through the day. Snow also fell in Panorama overnight softening the track slightly. Laurenne Ross, the current ladies overall Nor-Am standings leader with 425 points, was third in today’s race.
The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup schedule in Panorama, BC calls for a men’s super-G and super combined tomorrow.
COMPLETE EVENT RESULTS (Today’s results may not be immediately available.)