WHISTLER, B.C. (March 16, 2011) – Erin Mielzynski won her second consecutive Nor-Am Cup slalom in as many days on Wednesday in snowy and foggy conditions in Whistler, B.C. Mielzynski, of Collingwood, Ont., led following the first run after clocking a time of 51.16 seconds. Her two-run combined time of one minute, 44.68 seconds was more than one and a half seconds faster than her nearest challenger.
Mielzynski has mainly been racing in FIS World Cup events this season. Her career-best result was a 13th place finish in slalom in Arber-Zwiesel, Germany.
“World Cups are a little different because it’s a huge boost of adrenaline with the big crowds, music and cameras,” added Mielzynski. “But I think that at whatever level you are at, it is difficult in different ways, either winning Nor-Am races or getting one step closer to World Cup.
“I knew I could win again today, but I just tried to do what I needed to do and ski like I could. The added pressure makes it more difficult, but I think everyone here is just trying to put that aside until they get to the bottom.”
It was a heartbreaking day for Elli Terwiel, of Sun Peaks, B.C., who narrowly missed out on finishing in the top two in the overall standings for the second consecutive year. The top two in each discipline earn a place on their nation’s World Cup team for the 2011-12 season.
Terwiel, 22, was second in the overall Coupe Nor-Am Cup slalom rankings after finishing second on Tuesday but she straddled a gate during her second run Wednesday. Final points totals were not immediately available but according to unofficial results, Terwiel finished outside the top two.
“I was going for it but I straddled,” said Terwiel. “The hard part about ski racing is that it often comes down to one run. It’s the second year in a row that I’m close to getting a World Cup spot. It’s very disappointing.”
BC Ski Team racer Sarah Elliot (Big White Racers) secured a respectable 10th place finish in 1:48.87.
On the men’s side, Jeffrey Frisch, of Mont-Tremblant, Que.was the top Canadian, finishing fourth in the men’s giant slalom, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:59.09. It’s Frisch’s best result in a Coupe Nor-Am Cup race this season.
“I came back from a torn ACL last year and I just started skiing in September,” said Frisch. “Then just after the Alta Badia World Cup I injured myself again and couldn’t ski for six weeks. I’ve just been back for a little while. I think I’m doing fine and I’m pretty happy with these results since I’ve had no training. It’s not there every run and it’s not perfectly consistent yet, but some of my turns are right back to the way they were before the injuries.
“The slope was holding up well today;" said Frisch. "It’s crazy how much they’re working on this course in order to make it happen. I’m actually pretty surprised and I want to thank all the people who have come to help out.”
From BC, it was Conrad Pridy (Whistler Mountain Ski Club/BC Ski Team) who led the pack, finishing 14th after two runs.
The ladies will race a giant slalom event Thursday and the men will be racing slalom.
NOR-AM CUP FINALS
Slalom, Ladies – Whistler, B.C. (UNOFFICIAL RESULTS)
Mar. 16, 2011
1 1 MIELZYNSKI Erin 1990 CAN 51.16 51.90 1:43.06
2 21 IRWIN Madison 1991 CAN 52.10 52.58 1:44.68
3 6 STIEGLER Resi 1985 USA 51.19 53.77 1:44.96
4 7 SHIFFRIN Mikaela 1995 USA 52.30 53.01 1:45.31
5 22 KISTLER Lizzie 1992 USA 53.13 53.09 1:46.22
6 4 STAPLES Kiley 1989 USA 52.89 53.81 1:46.70
7 16 STEVENS Victoria 1990 CAN 53.43 53.74 1:47.17
8 14 RYLEY Kate 1989 CAN 55.48 52.73 1:48.21
9 10 FORD Julia 1990 USA 54.48 54.29 1:48.77
10 35 ELLIOT Sarah 1992 CAN 55.36 53.51 1:48.87
BC Results:
10 35 ELLIOT Sarah 1992 CAN 55.36 53.51 1:48.87
19 53 FREEMAN Sarah 1992 CAN 57.57 52.35 1:49.92
23 67 YOUNG Mackensey 1992 CAN 57.64 54.44 1:52.08
30 70 SWETTE Rae 1995 CAN 58.20 57.13 1:55.33 (THIRD JUNIOR)
39 72 FIELD Charley 1995 CAN 1:00.36 58.72 1:59.08
Disqualified 1st run
63 RAMSDEN Jocelyn 1993 CAN
Did not start 1st run
68 DARLINGTON Kailee 1994 CAN
Did not finish 2nd run
5 TERWIEL Elli 1989 CAN
Did not finish 1st run
52 RYTZ Celine 1992 CAN
Giant Slalom, Men – Whistler, B.C. (UNOFFICIAL RESULTS)
Mar. 16, 2011
1 2 GREGORAK Will 1990 USA 59.26 58.61 1:57.87
2 9 JITLOFF Tim 1985 USA 59.74 58.17 1:57.91
3 1 BIESEMEYER Thomas 1989 USA 1:00.49 58.56 1:59.05
4 19 FRISCH Jeffrey 1984 CAN 1:00.44 58.65 1:59.09
5 5 GRANSTROM Colby 1990 USA 1:00.91 58.34 1:59.25
6 4 TARBERRY Ace 1988 USA 1:00.44 58.85 1:59.29
7 7 FORD Tommy 1989 USA 1:00.48 59.19 1:59.67
8 48 PHILP Trevor 1992 CAN 1:00.93 59.45 2:00.38
9 24 FINK-DEBRAY Miles 1988 USA 1:00.60 1:00.05 2:00.65
10 16 COCHRAN-SIEGLE Ryan 1992 USA 1:01.63 59.21 2:00.84
BC Results:
14 60 PRIDY Conrad 1988 CAN 1:00.96 1:00.32 2:01.28
28 53 ZAITSOFF Sasha 1990 CAN 1:01.59 1:00.57 2:02.16
30 58 PRIDY Morgan 1990 CAN 1:01.23 1:00.95 2:02.18
40 57 SWETTE Ford 1993 CAN 1:02.03 1:01.09 2:03.12
Did not start 1st run
61 THOMSEN Benjamin 1987 CAN
Did not qualify 1st run
95 MOES Sebastian 1991 SWE
78 WERRY Tyler 1991 CAN