Remme and Tommy also step on the podium
Collingwood, ON (March 24, 2010) – Alix Wells from British Columbia was crowned national giant slalom champion on Wednesday as race action continued at the President’s Choice Canadian K2 Championships. Racing under clear skies and cooler temperatures at the Georgian Peaks Ski Club, 79 young racers between the ages of 13 and 14 years old took to the slopes for another great day of racing featuring perfect snow conditions.
Wells, who was the fastest racer in the first run, mustered the confidence required to also set the pace in the afternoon, allowing her to secure the gold with a time of 1.26.08
“I had nothing to lose coming into my second run,” said Wells who is the lone representative from her local ski club - Taber Mountain in B-C. “If you go half way, you won’t win. So, I went all out and just tried to have some fun. I’m a pretty calm racer and I know stuff happens – it is ski racing after all,” added the skier who won the Overall title at the BC Provincials.
“I’m think what surprises me the most today is how close I am to Remme,” admitted Wells after capturing the win and preventing Roni Remme from taking her third gold medal at these championships. “ I skied with her on Team Canada at the Whistler Cup and know what a strong competitor she is,” she concluded.
Roni Remme from Ontario finished second with a time of 1:26.58. After being crowned champion in the super G and super combined races earlier this week, Remme was visibly disappointed to have to settle for a silver medal in the giant slalom.
“I’m upset for sure,” said Remme. “ I was coming down with a ton of speed, enough to win it but I started pinching at the bottom, getting too close to the gates where you can’t move away from the gates – it caught me and I finished up skating in off balance. It came down to a small mistake for me and a great run for Alix,” concluded the young skier who finished 3rd in giant slalom and 1st in the Kombi at the 2009 Whistler Cup.
Mikaela Tommy from the Quebec Team took home the bronze medal with a time of 1:28.12.
Sitting in 5th place following the first leg, Mikaela turned on her engines to secure a spot on the podium.
“I felt good today,” admitted Tommy who comes from a strong lineage of racers with both her parents – Mike and Gabbi - having represented Canada at the international level. “The second run was definitely better than my first but it was a solid run, a few mistakes but that is all part of ski racing,” added Mikaela who won the giant slalom title in the Quebec provincials and was 2nd in the Quebec slalom provincials.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Thursday’s Race Action & Volunteer Party
Race action at the 2010 President's Choice® Canadian K2 Championships continues on Thursday with the men’s giant slalom competition starting at 9 a.m. at Georgian Peaks. The race will be followed by the President’s Choice Volunteer Appreciation party at Georgian Peaks Ski Club and starting at 2 p.m. All volunteers and race crew are welcome!
Live Timing
Live timing is being provided by ACA Points: http://www.acapoints.ca/e/html/results/e_live.asp
Please be advised that live timing display may be delayed due to an increase in the volume of users seeking GMC Canadian Championships and President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships results. The live timing provider recommends users select "Mobile Version" to reduce strain on the server. Thanks for your patience on this matter.
Photo Gallery
Visit the following site for more great pictures from today’s race: http://www.alpineontario.ca/Home/PhotoGallery/tabid/135/Default.aspx?albumid=5452243795149118641
About the President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships
The 2010 President’s Choice® K2 Canadian Championships are hosted at Osler Bluff, Georgian Peaks, and Craigleith Ski Resorts (ON) from March 22 to 26. As a nationally-sanctioned event, the races involve approximately 170, 13 and 14 year-old ski racers from across the country and feature girls’ and boys’ Super G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom, and Slalom titles. For more information about the President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships please visit the official event website at www.k2championships.com.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada’s largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 139,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada’s strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President’s Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh Style® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President’s Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points loyalty program.
INFORMATION:
Kyle Marr
Director of PR & Media Communications
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel: (403) 777-3204
TELUS: (403) 860-0665
kmarr@canski.org
Marie-Hélène Thibeault
President’s Choice® K2 Championships
Media and Communications
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel.: (403) 678-4806
info@k2championships.com