Despite nearly losing her ski pole out of the start gate, Janelle Miller of Lethbridge, Alta., won the gold medal in the women's
super G Friday to conclude the fourth stop on the Pontiac GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit.
In the women's super G, the 16-year-old Miller regained control of her pole and clocked 1:11.99 for the gold medal.
Whitaker and Hatch, both from the Silver Star Ski Club, finished one-two in the men's GS with Beauregard and Rey, from the Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC), and as well Bob Switzer, not far behind. Switzer dominated the large 65-69 category.
Perfect race conditions and great organization made the Masters event a success with many local participants as well as some from the Interior and Vancouver. Wendy Morrison, from WMSC, led the women in the first GS run. Unfortunately for Morrison she caught an edge at the top of the second course, resulting in an as yet undetermined knee injury. Wendy Harrison, also of WMSC and one of the events organizers, put two fine runs together to finish the GS day as the fastest woman. The slalom had everyone puffing – 52 gates later some pretty amazing times were recorded with Jeff Hatch again edging out the pack. Kari Firstbrook led the women.
A pair of Atomic Skis were given away each race day along with lots of other great prizes. Thanks to Wendy Harrison & all her volunteers, the Events Department at Whistler Blackcomb, and of course Atomic, Gabel, & all our sponsors for their generosity and support.
Results will be posted on www.bcalpine.com Tuesday, Mar 4, 2003.
In the men's super G, Civitarese, the 2001 Pontiac GMC Cup overall champion and the current leader this season, took the gold in 1:28.75. Sean Cochrane of Prince George, B.C., Wednesday`s downhill winner, was third at 1:29.79 and James Finlayson of Whistler, B.C., third in 1:29.92.
“After skiing so poorly the last couple of days I was very determined to pick it up,“ said Civitarese, 22.
 Click for larger image |
Forsyth, 24, of Canmore, Alta., was one of the great Canadian stories of the FIS World Alpine Ski Championships 2003 at St. Moritz. Despite struggling through what she describes as unimpressive results this season, Forsyth was able to stay positive and put together two solid runs in the World Championships giant slalom to earn Canada's second medal of the event.
Forsyth is no stranger to podium performances, having garnered four second-place finishes in World Cup action in her career, as well as numerous Canadian Championship titles and wins on the Nor Am and Europa Cup circuits. The bronze was her first World Championship medal.
The Alpine Canada Alpin Athlete of the Week is meant to publicly recognize the World Cup-level athletes who've made the largest contribution of World Cup points to Canada's overall Nation's Cup standings. Alpine Canada Alpin also selects a “most improved athlete of the week” in recognition of those athletes who did not score World Cup points prior to November 30, 2002, whose performances lead to World Cup point contributions to the overall Nation's Cup.
Kristen Tarchuk of Banff, Alta., completed a golden sweep of the women's downhills on Wednesday while Sean Cochrane of Prince George,
B.C., won the men's race at the fourth stop on the Pontiac GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit.
Cochrane, second on Tuesday, clocked 1:17.62. James Finlayson of Whistler was second in 1:18.52 and Michael O'Flynn of Beaumont, Alta., Tuesday's winner, was third in 1:18.59.
Cochrane, 22, quit the sport at age 15 then returned at 19. Because he is older he is pretty much spending the season on his own trying to get on the national team.
“It's tough to be on the road by myself,” said Cochrane, who needed to repair his skis last night after hitting an edge in his run. “But I don't set my standards low and I try to win every race. I've always had the talent but now I'm more driven.”
Finlayson, back on the slopes after a two-year hiatus, was pleased with his run.
“I made a mistake right out of the start but overall it was better today,” he said.
In the women's downhill, Tarchuk continued to display fine form, despite not racing downhills most of the winter due to a pre-season concussion, clocking 1:23.11. Charlotte Whitney of Whistler, B.C., was second again to Tarchuk
clocking 1:23.41. Kayla Benbow of Whistler was third in 1:23.77.
“I had an awesome race,” said Tarchuk, 16, who was off her skis for a month this fall after crashing in a training run at Nakiska, Alta. “I skied a lot better today in the technical sections of the course.”
Whitney once again had trouble at the bottom of the course.
“I never got as much speed as I wanted at the top of the course,” said Whitney. “I was tossed around at the bottom which caused me to lose time. I have to carry my speed better on the flats.”
The Pontiac GMC Cup Series is a developmental series for Canada's young skiers who aspire to compete at the World Cup and Olympic level. Top
athletes from this series earn the right to attend the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships from March 18 – 27, 2003 featuring nine days of racing and celebration at Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia. The circuit's overall champions win $5,000.
Competition continues Thursday with a men's and women's super G.
Wednesday's downhill results at the Pontiac GMC Cup alpine skiing race
Men: 1. Sean Cochrane, Prince George, 1:17.62; 2. James Finlayson, Whistler, 1:18.52;
3. Michael O'Flynn, Beaumont, 1:18.59
4. Aaron Civitarese, Trail, 1:18.68,
5.Derek Mortson, Chestermere, Alta., 1:18.86;
6. Marcus Waring, Vancouver, 1:19.29;
7. Paul Rokosh, Kimberley, 1:19.90;
8. Dustin McCleay, 1:20.07;
9. Nicolas Sinclair, Nan 1:20.89;
10.Daniel Berry, Calgary, 1:21.06.
Women: 1. Kristen Tarchuk, Banff, Alta., 1:23.11;
2. Charlotte Whitney, Whistler,BC., 1:23.41;
3. Kayla Benbow, Whistler, BC., 1:23.77;
4. Allison Empy, Calgary, 1:23.81;
5. Janelle Miller, Lethbridge, Alta., 1:24.54; 6. Alison Leighton, Whistler, BC., 1:24.56;
7. Kendal Benbow, Whistler, 1:24.90;
8. Victoria Hockley, Calgary, 1:25.11;
9. Taryn O'Flynn, Beaumont, Alta., 1:25.17;
10. Kristi Serwa, Kelowna, BC., 1:25.90.