Collingwood, ON (March 24, 2010) – Alix Wells from the Prince George Ski Club was crowned national giant slalom champion on Wednesday as race action continued at the President’s Choice Canadian K2 Championships. Racing under clear skies and cooler temperatures at the Georgian Peaks Ski Club, 79 young racers between the ages of 13 and 14 years old took to the slopes for another great day of racing featuring perfect snow conditions.
Wells, who was the fastest racer in the first run, mustered the confidence required to also set the pace in the afternoon, allowing her to secure the gold with a time of 1.26.08
“I had nothing to lose coming into my second run,” said Wells who is the lone representative from her local ski club in Prince George, BC. “If you go half way, you won’t win. So, I went all out and just tried to have some fun. I’m a pretty calm racer and I know stuff happens – it is ski racing after all,” added the skier who won the Overall title at the BC Provincials.
“I think what surprises me the most today is how close I am to Remme,” admitted Wells after capturing the win and preventing Roni Remme from taking her third gold medal at these championships. “ I skied with her on Team Canada at the Whistler Cup and know what a strong competitor she is,” she concluded.
Roni Remme from Ontario finished second with a time of 1:26.58. After being crowned champion in the super G and super combined races earlier this week, Remme was visibly disappointed to have to settle for a silver medal in the giant slalom.
“I’m upset for sure,” said Remme. “ I was coming down with a ton of speed, enough to win it but I started pinching at the bottom, getting too close to the gates where you can’t move away from the gates – it caught me and I finished up skating in off balance. It came down to a small mistake for me and a great run for Alix,” concluded the young skier who finished 3rd in giant slalom and 1st in the Kombi at the 2009 Whistler Cup.
Mikaela Tommy from the Quebec Team took home the bronze medal with a time of 1:28.12.
Sitting in 5th place following the first leg, Mikaela turned on her engines to secure a spot on the podium.
“I felt good today,” admitted Tommy who comes from a strong lineage of racers with both her parents – Mike and Gabbi – having represented Canada at the international level. “The second run was definitely better than my first but it was a solid run, a few mistakes but that is all part of ski racing,” added Mikaela who won the giant slalom title in the Quebec provincials and was 2nd in the Quebec slalom provincials.
COMPLETE OFFICIAL RESULTS (Scroll down to the bottom of the page for links to each day’s results)
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Photo Gallery
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