BC Skiers Break Into Top-10 at Ski Cross National Championships at COP

Aleisha Cline and Stan Rey Crowned 2010 National Champions in both FIS and Open Class Races – March 27 & 28, Canada Olympic Park

March 29, 2010 (Calgary, Alberta) – Just back from the last leg of the World Cup Season in Europe, the Canada Ski Cross Team hosted the National Championships on March 27^th and 28^th at Canada Olympic Park (“COP”), in Calgary, Alberta.

With competitors from Ontario to the Yukon, Australia and the USA, ski cross was well represented at the last race of the 2009-10 Ski Cross season. In women’s racing, Aleisha Cline (Squamish, BC) ended both days victorious over BC Ski Cross Team Member, Marielle Thompson (Whistler, BC), Danielle Poleschuk (Winnipeg, MB) took third on the podium both days. Brooke Dunleavy (AUS), managed to get to the finals each day, coming in 4^th both days. The women had some good racing and fun on the course, which is the main goal of the National Championships. On winning Saturday’s race, Aleisha Cline said, “After such a challenging and fairly disappointing season, winning on Saturday and becoming National Champion was a great way to end the year!”

In Men’s competition, Stan Rey (Whistler, BC) took home both National Champion titles as well, for FIS and Open Category races. On Saturday’s FIS event, Stan was followed closely by Sven Winter (Vancouver, BC) and Ian Deans (Kelowna, BC) with Patrick Duran (USA) placing 4^th after a spectacular crash on the line in the semi final heat. With a similar start list on Sunday, Stan was again victorious in a close final heat with David Holmes (Toronto, ON) 2^nd and Rob Lepine (Edmonton, AB) 3^rd. Brian Bennett (Quesnel, BC) crashed in the final, while trying to make a pass near the bottom of the course finishing the day in 4^th. Stan Rey, 2010 Men’s Ski Cross National Champion said that he “had a really fun week racing at COP and is stoked to be able to come out on top, all in all, a great race!”

All podium finishers on Sunday’s open race took home a share of $4500 prize money which was graciously donated by Carscallen Leitch LLP, Devonian Properties and Fortress Energy Inc.

The Canada Ski Cross Team would like to extend a very special thank you to all of its sponsors for their continued support throughout the season and look forward to the 2010-2011 year.

RESULTS

Saturday March 27

WOMEN

1 – Aleisha CLINE (Squamish, BC)

2 – Marielle THOMPSON (Whistler,)

3 – Danielle POLESCHUK (Calgary, AB)

4 – Brooke DUNLEAVY (AUS)

5 – Catriona BLAIR (Whistler, BC)

6 – Danielle WILLHOEFT (Vancouver, BC)

7 – Bryann PALMER (Kamloops, BC)

DNS – Kelsey SERWA (Kelowna, BC)

DNS – Ashleigh MCIVOR (Whistler, BC)