BC Team’s Freeman 5th – Best Canadian at Copper Mtn Nor-Am Downhill

Thursday, December 6, 2012 – Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA

FLASH QUOTES – Sarah Freeman (Women's BC Ski Team, Fernie Alpine Ski Team) and Gregor Druzina (Head Coach Women's BC Ski Team)

Sarah Freeman of Pincher Creek, Alberta finished in 5th place, and took top Canadian honours, at Copper Mountain Nor-Am downhill Thursday:

"I definitely would have been ecstatic with a podium finish today, but I'm happy with 5th after not finishing yesterday.  I knew I had a good approach yesterday, so I went for the same thing today.  I lost time when I had to make a bit of a saving maneuver near the bottom, which is not the fastest thing to do in downhill. It could have been a mental thing because it was in the same section where I missed the gate yesterday. I'm getting closer to where I know I can be."

Gregor Druzina, Head Coach of the women's team, is pleased with the promise his team is showing this early in the season:

“I have to say, this was a much better day for Sarah Freeman, and we know she has the potential to be even better. She had a great run yesterday – was in 3^rd place until the last section when she missed a gate and didn’t finish.  Today was even more promising. She came into the bottom section in second place, but a small mistake in the last few turns took some speed out of her. Sarah is working hard and getting technically stronger with every race. There’s still work to be done, but with the improvements we’ve been seeing, we look forward to winning some races this season. Also, I am very happy with the progress and performances of the younger BC Team women at these Copper Mountain downhill races (Charley Field, Emma King and Hallie MacLachlan). Even though the track is getting harder, bumpier and faster by the day, they are improving their skills and learning about timing, high speed turns, rollers, terrain changes, different sections, etc.. This is a fantastic speed venue here in Colorado and the BC girls are grateful for the opportunity to train and race with some of the best American women. Tomorrow we will try to make an even bigger impact on the USA national championship downhill race and then will travel back to Canada for the Nor-Ams at Panorama Mountain, where Stephanie Gartner and Sarah Elliot will rejoin the group.”

 (L to R = Charley Field, Hallie MacLachlan, Sarah Freeman, Emma King, Sarah Elliot)

Copper Mountain (USA) Nor-Am Cup
Ladies' Downhill Top-10 and BC Results

COMPLETE OFFICIAL FIS RESULTS