Sue-Lynda Bate | BC Alpine Ski Association
Lusti Leads BC Charge in Colorado

Lusti Leads BC Charge in Colorado



In the first of two downhill races being held in the Nor-Am series in Aspen, Lustenberger led the way for BC athletes with a 20th place finish. Lusti, a veteran member of the BC Ski Team showed great ease considering it is her first DH in years. She was 11th and 15th in the turns and the coaches hope to have better splits on the flats for Sunday's DH. Whistler Mountain's Alison Leighton had a stellar day, starting in 64th, Leighton would up 40th. Leighton had a tough go in the three DH training runs this week and according to women's head coach Nancy-Jo O'Neill, “Alison showed remarkable composure for a 15 year old athlete.” In her first training run, she was out at the start and lost a ski. In the second training run she had a 30 minute hold on course waiting in the start. In the third and final downhill training run she was flagged as the athlete ahead had crashed. Today's finish for Leighton was the result of much hard work and patience.

Other BC Results:
Charlotte Whitney,(WMSC), 36th
Alison Leighton, (WMSC), 40th
Rachel Nixon, (VST), 42nd
Anastasia Skyrabina, (WMSC), 52nd

Women's downhill action continues on the Ruthie's Run course Sunday followed by two back to back women's super-G races Monday and Tuesday.


Lusti Leads BC Charge in Colorado

Six BC Athletes in Massif Top-20



Following Anderson was Aaron Civitarese of Trail on the podium in third spot, just 0.45 seconds back. Prince George's Sean Cochrane was sixth in 1;28.48 while BC Ski Team athlete Manuel Osborne Paradis of Vancouver narrowly missed the top-10 settling for 11th in one minute 28.99 seconds. Burnaby's Mike Giannelli was 14th in 1:29.17 and Whistler's Jamie Finlayson rounded out the top-20 in 20th in 1:29.76.

Other BC Results:
Graham Kraft, Vernon, 34th in 1:31.18
Dustin Fraser, Quathiaski Cove, 49th in 1:32.70

Men's CIBC Coupe Nor-Am downhill action continues Sunday in Le Massif, QC. The speed series continues with two Super-G races Monday and Tuesday.


Lusti Leads BC Charge in Colorado

Osborne Paradis Mastering Le Massif

CIBC Nor-Am Logo
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Starting the day in 13, Osborne Paradis crossed the line in 9th place; four one-hundredths ahead of Quebec's Francois Bourque.

Canadian Alpine Ski Team athletes David Anderson and Mike Giannelli were on each others heels' finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

Other BC results:
Sean Cochrane (Prince George), 21st
Robbie Dixon (North Vancouver), 24th
Aaron Civitarese (Trail), 31st
Jamie Finlayson (Whistler), 33rd
Graham Kraft (Vernon), 42nd
Dustin Fraser (Quathiaski Cove), 49th
Ben Chaddock (Richmond), 51st
Marcus Waring (North Vancouver), 57th


Lusti Leads BC Charge in Colorado

Hume Hot in DH Training



Erik Guay, Cap Rouge, QC, starting in 32nd spot was the top Canadian in the men's downhill at the World Championships in St. Moritz, SUI, Friday, just 29 one hundreths of a second behind Didier Cuche of Austria who crossed the line in first.

Whistler's Jeff Hume recorded another stellar training run. Hume, starting 44th had a blistering run vaulting him into 8th place in one minute 48.09 seconds.




Lusti Leads BC Charge in Colorado

Lustenberger Solid in Colorado Training



Great weather and an excellent, safe World Cup technical track in Aspen has provided two great days of downhill training and results for the five women.

Christina's second day saw her jump from 32nd to 12th! Second Canadian overall, just behind Sophie Splawinski. Lustenberger had a terrific run and a great day.

February 5th DH Training
Christina Lustenberger, 20th
Rachel Nixon (VST), 37th
Charlotte Whitney (WMSC), 45th
Anastasia Skyrabina (WMSC), 56th
Allison Leighton (WMSC), 61st

February 6th DH Training
Christina Lustenberger, (WVSC), 12th
Charlotte Whitney (WMSC), 41st
Rachel Nixon (VST), 43rd
Allison Leighton (WMSC), 48th
Anastasia Skyrabina (WMSC), 54th