Sarah Brown (Quebec) PHOTO CREDIT: Jon Hair/www.coastphoto.com
WHISTLER – Fuelled on confidence Sarah Brown (Mont-Tremblant Ski Club) won the gold medal Saturday in the women’s slalom at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition at Whistler Blackcomb.
Brown was first after both runs clocking one minute and 20.25 seconds with Sarah Zoller of Switzerland second in 1:20.99 and Noa Szollos of Israel third at 1:22.70.
On Friday, Brown was also third in the giant slalom.
‘’I took a lot of confidence from yesterday,’’ said Brown. ‘’The conditions today were spring-like so I really charged through it. It wasn’t pretty. I felt a bit of pressure for the second run being first but I was already happy to have put down one solid run.’’
Zoller won the GS on Friday.
‘’It was OK,’’ she said. ‘’I am happy with my result. For us this is a great experience to come here and compete at one of the most famous mountains in the world. It’s been really cool.’’
Szollos, who comes a family of competitive skiers, is from Hungary and trains in Austria. She decided to represent Israel due to some issues with the Hungarian ski federation.
‘’I was surprised to get on the podium,’’ she said. ‘’The slalom is not usually my best event.’’
Other Canadians in the top-10 were Arianne Forget of Prévost, Que., in fourth, Britt Richardson of Calgary sixth and Jacquelyn Gray of Panorama, B.C., seventh.
The 26th Whistler Cup has attracted over 400 of the world’s best 12 to 15-year-old ski racers from more than 20 countries to compete for super-G, slalom and giant slalom glory.
In the men’s slalom, Luc Roduit of Switzerland was the victor in 1:21.68 with compatriot Nicolas Macheret second in 1:22.03 and Nicolas Pirozzi of Chile third in 1:23.63.
‘’It was a great day today after yesterday’s bad weather,’’ said Roduit. ‘’I’m excited to come out with the win.’’
Macheret was also pleased with his performance.
‘’There were a lot of traps, especially on the second run,’’ he said. ‘’It was important to have that good time on the first run.’’
Tait Jordan of Whistler was the top Canadian in fifth place in 1:24.31. Jacob Goneau of Bromont, Que., tied for sixth, Mackenzie Wood of Collingwood, Ont., was ninth and John Daniel Profitt of Calgary, the super G winner on day one, was 10th.
‘’The first run was really bumpy, I was just happy to finish,’’ said Jordan. ‘’On the second run I took advantage of a very good start.’’
Alpine Canada's Dusan Grasic with Team Canada's Tait Jordan (WMSC)
Saturday’s slalom results at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition in Whistler:
Men: 1. Luc Roduit, Switzerland, 1:21.68; 2. Nicholas Macheret, Switzerland, 1 :22.03; 3. Nicolas Pirozzi, Chile, 1:23.63; 4. Ryoma Katayama, Japan, 1:24.20; 5. Tait Jordan, Whistler, 1:24.31; 6. Thomas Hoffman, Australia and Jacob Goneau, Bromont, Que., 1 :25.06; 8. Tiziano Gavier, Argentina, 1:25.25; 9. Mackenzie Wood, Collingwood, Ont., 1 :26.23; 10. John Daniel Profitt, Calgary, 1 :26.25.
Women: 1. Sarah Brown, Quebec, 1:20.25, 2. Sarah Zoller, Switzerland, 1:20.99, 3. Noa Szollos, Israel, 1:22.70, 4. Arianne Forget, Prévost, Que., 1:22.94, 5.Victoria Cubina, Spain 1:23.31., 6. Britt Richardson, Calgary., 1:23.54, 7. Jacquelyn Gray, Panorama, B.C., 1:23.78, 8. Delia Durrer, Switzerland, 1:23.79, 9.Zoe Michaels, Australia, 1:23.86, 10. Silvia Strachanova, Slovakia, 1.24.41
Full results : https://wmsc-timing.azurewebsites.net/timing/