Red Mountain Hosts GMC Cup Technical Races – Gold for Zaitsoff and Elliot

GMC Cup Slalom and Giant Slalom
Friday, February 25 – Red Mountain Resort

(From ACA News)
Sasha Zaitsoff (BC Ski Team/ACA Prospect Group) showed why he is having the best season of his career on Friday winning the men’s slalom to open the GMC Cup alpine skiing competition at Red Mountain.

Zaitsoff posted the fastest time on both runs to finish first in one minute and 36.15 seconds. Jeffrey Bell of Calgary was second in 1:38.24 and Scott Snow of the U.S., was third in 1:38.52.

This winter, the 20-year-old Zaitsoff has quickly climbed provincial and national ranking and last month he raced at his first career World Cup competition. For Friday’s race, he admitted he had a home hill advantage. Zaitsoff grew up skiing for the Red Mountain Racers.

‘’I’ve skied this hill a millions times,’’ said Zaitsoff, with his first victory this season. ‘’I guess I had some advantage but I was really happy with both my runs. They were solid. I’ve had some trouble putting together two strong runs at times but to win here at home adds to my best season so far.’’

In women’s giant slalom, Sarah Elliot (BC Ski Team/Big White Racers) continued a remarkable comeback from two knee surgeries over the past three years to win in 1:51.53. Vanessa Berther of the U.S., was second in 1:52.30 and Tess Davies of Canmore, Alta., third in 1:52.38.

Elliott, 18, has basically missed two of the last three seasons.

‘’My lack of racing experience has shown this winter,’’ said Elliott, who hadn’t completed her first or second run in five of her six previous races. ‘’I was really just trying to finish. To get the win is incredible. It’s a tribute to the great rehabilitation program I’ve been on for my knee. I haven’t won a race since my K2 days, so it’s a welcomed confidence booster to have a first place finish today. I had some great training at home with my club coach, Derek Trussler and for the past three days here at Red with the BC Team, so I was feeling good about my skiing. Races are Red always seem to have a great atmosphere and everyone enjoyed skiing in the sunshine. Thanks to GMC, the volunteers, coaches, and Mom and Dad!’’

Men’s Slalom #1 Top-15 (Unofficial Results)
1 2 ZAITSOFF, Sasha CAN SR 46.71 (1) 49.44 (1) 1:36.15
2 3 BELL, Jeffrey CAN J2 47.98 (3) 50.26 (4) 1:38.24
3 4 SNOW, Scott USA J2 48.73 (5) 49.79 (2) 1:38.52
4 12 SCHWAIGER, Hansi GER J1 48.76 (6) 49.98 (3) 1:38.74
5 13 LAW, Michael CAN J2 49.10 (9) 50.27 (5) 1:39.37
6 17 LAW, David CAN J2 49.45 (10) 50.96 (8) 1:40.41
7 1 GIGIC, Filip CAN J2 48.79 (7) 51.84 (16) 1:40.63
8 22 MILES, Jeff CAN J2 50.19 (14) 50.60 (6) 1:40.79
9 6 GORES, Adam CAN J2 49.59 (11) 51.45 (12) 1:41.04
10 9 MORRIS, Spencer CAN J2 50.07 (13) 51.09 (11) 1:41.16
11 7 ALENIUS, Derek CAN J2 49.78 (12) 51.50 (13) 1:41.28
12 11 SUTTON, Brandon CAN J2 50.53 (17) 50.97 (9) 1:41.50
13 19 SWETTE, Ford CAN J2 50.83 (18) 52.03 (17) 1:42.86
14 23 BIGSBY, Steven CAN J1 52.19 (22) 50.76 (7) 1:42.95
15 24 JONES, Ryan CAN J1 51.26 (20) 51.71 (14) 1:42.97

Women’s Giant Slalom #1 Top-15 (Unofficial Results)
1 3 ELLIOT, Sarah CAN J2 52.90 (1) 58.63 (2) 1:51.53
2 14 BERTHER, Vanessa USA J2 53.69 (4) 58.61 (1) 1:52.30
3 15 DAVIES, Tess CAN J2 53.47 (2) 58.91 (3) 1:52.38
4 8 MOE-LANGE, Yina DAN J2 54.39 (8) 59.07 (4) 1:53.46
5 7 RAMSDEN, Jocelyn CAN J2 54.15 (5) 59.47 (7) 1:53.62
6 1 MICHALIK, Victoria CAN J2 53.58 (3) 1:00.12 (11) 1:53.70
7 12 RYTZ, Celine CAN J2 54.22 (6) 59.51 (8) 1:53.73
8 11 YOUNG, Mackensey CAN J2 54.36 (7) 59.72 (10) 1:54.08
9 9 IRWIN, Stephanie CAN SR 54.88 (9) 59.30 (5) 1:54.18
10 22 PARK, Erika CAN J2 55.61 (18) 59.43 (6) 1:55.04
11 25 SMITH, Amanda CAN J1 55.62 (19) 59.63 (9) 1:55.25
12 2 WOOD, Catherine CAN J2 55.18 (10) 1:00.46 (12) 1:55.64
13 68 MACLACHLAN, Hallie CAN J1 55.21 (11) 1:00.47 (13) 1:55.68
14 4 CARROLL, Tianda CAN J2 55.23 (12) 1:00.86 (18) 1:56.09
15 24 SWETTE, Rae CAN J1 55.41 (15) 1:00.73 (16) 1:56.14