MONT-SAINTE-ANNE, QUE. (March 23, 2012) – Marie-Michèle Gagnon and Erin Mielzynski finished first and second in the Audi Nor-Am Cup final slalom Friday in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que., while Elli Terwiel took the overall Nor-Am Cup slalom title.
“Today was good,” said Mielzynski, who also picked up her first World Cup podium this season and became the first Canadian to win a slalom World Cup in over 40 years. “We were really lucky with how the snow set up because it had been so rough the last few days, but today my first run went better than my second run but it’s always tough to struggle though ruts and tougher snow but it went well and I was happy with it.”
With her second-place finish, Mielzynski also finished second in the Nor-Am Cup slalom standings with 330 points behind Terwiel, of Sun Peaks, B.C., with 351 points.
“It's always nice to build confidence for the season and build confidence for Canada,” said Mielzynski, 21. “It’s definitely a nice way to end the season.”
Skiers ranked in the top two in the Nor-Am Cup standings in each discipline earn a World Cup spot for following season in that discipline.
“I'm feeling really good about it,” said Terwiel, who skis for the University of Vermont. “It's been something I’ve been chasing for a couple of years and the fact that I got it this year means a lot.”
Terwiel, who finished ninth in 1:49.23, had six World Cup starts this season. Her best result was in Courchevel, France, in December, where she finished in 23rd place in slalom.
“Today wasn't so great,” Terwiel admitted. “But I did what I needed to do to secure the title so that's what matters.”