Celine Rytz of Calgary (Fernie Alpine Ski Team/BC Ski Team) won Gold and Silver today!
"I have never been to a downhill race that hasn’t had delays, cancellation or unfavourable weather conditions. Today was no exception! Yesterday’s race was cancelled because of extremely warm weather and some rain. The race organizers decided to make up for the cancellation by running 2 races for the girls and 1 for the boys today. Not only does that add many more hours to a volunteer’s already long day, but there were many problems with starting the race. The wind pushed a lot of snow onto the course through the night so the volunteers and racers spent the majority of the morning slipping, snow blowing, raking and shoveling the snow off the track. All of the hard work paid off and the race started. Something important to know about bad weather on race days is that it separates the field. Bad weather can be seen as a nuisance but it can also be seen as an opportunity because it is very easy to excel in hard conditions if you have the right mind set. I chose to see it as an opportunity. In the start gate I made sure I was completely ready to race. Although I had a few messy turns, my approach, line and aggression were race perfect. I am really happy to have a repeat victory on this course (last year I won as well) and all this training and racing will be very beneficial for when I head to Aspen next week to race the Nor Am speed races. I am so grateful for all the amazing work the volunteers did today, the course would have been a disaster if not for them. They all worked until the job was done and the course was in perfect shape because of it. Their hard work is appreciated. I will be in the start again forerunning the boy’s race tomorrow. Tomorrow looks like another poor weather day for the boy’s downhill, but I know that the volunteers, coaches and athletes will do everything in their power to get it started!" – Celine Rytz
Another Racer’s Reflections – Kailee Darlington of Whistler (WMSC/BC Ski Team)
"My second year attending the Apex Downhill was a fun one. The track was awesome and there were so many amazing volunteers who made this race possible! – So thank you volleys! Coming into this race I was hoping to get a.) more confidence, b.) some good results and c.) to go fast & have fun! I know that the only way to improve in Downhill is by gaining experience, so every day on Downhill skis teaches you something new! Today I felt I had some amazing turns and some high speeds, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to nail the top part of the course (Devils Drop/C-Turn). However I did manage to carry some speed through the bottom part of the course and it felt great! I was able to achieve two J1 podiums and two 6th place finishes, so I was pretty happy. I’m excited to come back next year and hopefully just keep improving." – Kailee Darlington
Three downhill races took place Saturday – two for the girls and one for the guys. COMPLETE OFFICIAL RESULT (when available).
Miele Cup Apex Downhill #1
Women Top-15 (Complete Unofficial Live Timing Results)
1 6 RYTZ, Celine CAN BCST J-2 1:23.77 (1)
2 28 COWBURN, Danielle CAN SUNP J-1 1:24.42 (2) J1 Gold
3 1 RAMSDEN, Jocelyn CAN BCST J-2 1:24.74 (3)
4 15 PANKRATZ, Alexandria CAN BWR J-2 1:25.04 (4)
5 10 MICHALIK, Victoria CAN AB J-2 1:25.24 (5)
6 12 DARLINGTON, Kailee CAN BCST J-1 1:25.59 (6) J1 Silver
7 21 FIELD, Charley CAN WMSC J-1 1:25.63 (7) J1 Bronze
8 18 YOUNG, Mackensey CAN BCST J-2 1:26.94 (8)
9 30 BERMEL, Rebecca CAN KIMBE J-1 1:27.42 (9)
10 5 LEROUX, Sofi CAN WMSC J-1 1:27.76 (10)
11 33 SWETTE, Rae CAN WMSC J-1 1:28.20 (11)
12 25 VAN SOEST, Francesca CAN VERNO J-1 1:28.22 (12)
13 2 MASSONG, Jessie CAN FERNI J-1 1:28.43 (13)
14 9 PARK, Erika CAN REVEL J-2 1:28.61 (14)
15 31 RAUHALA, Silken CAN BWR J-1 1:28.77 (15)
Men Top-15 (Complete Unofficial Live Timing Results)
1 10 LEDUC, Mathieu CAN sr 1:17.71 (1)
2 13 PRIDY, Conrad CAN sr 1:18.29 (2)
3 6 PRIDY, Morgan CAN sr 1:19.10 (3)
4 14 ZAITSOFF, Sasha CAN sr 1:19.68 (4)
5 7 THOMPSON, Broderick CAN J-1 1:20.35 (5) J1 Gold
6 9 CARRY, Roger CAN FERNI J-2 1:20.45 (6)
7 4 SWETTE, Ford CAN J-2 1:21.29 (7)
8 23 SEGER, Brodie CAN WMSC J-1 1:21.61 (8) J1 Silver
9 24 SCHWAIGER, Hansi GER J-1 1:21.66 (9) J1 Bronze
10 38 HAWKINS, Devon CAN BANF J-1 1:22.13 (10)
11 2 FRY, Steven CAN RED M J-2 1:22.58 (11)
12 41 LLEWELLYN, Austin CAN WMSC J-1 1:22.69 (12)
13 54 BETHUNE, Ben CAN WMSC J-1 1:22.87 (13)
14 47 MCCARTHY, Trent CAN J-1 1:22.96 (14)
15 26 MCNAIR, Daniel CAN J-1 1:22.97 (15)
Miele Cup Apex Downhill #2
Women Top-15 (Complete Unofficial Live Timing Results)
1 10 MICHALIK, Victoria CAN AB J-2 1:22.94 (1)
2 6 RYTZ, Celine CAN BCST J-2 1:23.94 (2)
3 35 KING, Emma CAN WMSC J-1 1:24.06 (3) J1 Gold
4 15 PANKRATZ, Alexandria CAN BWR J-2 1:24.28 (4)
5 28 COWBURN, Danielle CAN SUNP J-1 1:24.42 (5) J1 Silver
6 12 DARLINGTON, Kailee CAN BCST J-1 1:24.87 (6) J1 Bronze
7 21 FIELD, Charley CAN WMSC J-1 1:24.91 (7)
8 1 RAMSDEN, Jocelyn CAN BCST J-2 1:24.94 (8)
9 30 BERMEL, Rebecca CAN KIMBE J-1 1:26.18 (9)
10 5 LEROUX, Sofi CAN WMSC J-1 1:26.73 (10)
11 2 MASSONG, Jessie CAN FERNI J-1 1:26.82 (11)
12 18 YOUNG, Mackensey CAN BCST J-2 1:27.11 (12)
13 9 PARK, Erika CAN REVEL J-2 1:27.37 (13)
14 33 SWETTE, Rae CAN WMSC J-1 1:27.46 (14)
15 25 VAN SOEST, Francesca CAN VERNO J-1 1:27.52 (15)
Sunday’s LIVE TIMING