CORONET PEAK, NZ (August 17, 2010) -- Several Ontario alumni have just completed a series of FIS races in the Queenstown area of New Zealand's south island (Coronet Peak). Highlights include David Donaldson (UVM NCAA racer) 2nd place finish in SL and Madison Irwin (CAST Prospect team) 3rd place finish in SL.
Other Ontario Ski Team in the gates include CAST racer Erin Mielzynski who tied for 7th spot with Madison Irwin in the GS competition. Kevin Drury (UVM) was 7th in SL and Paul Atkinson (UNH) was 17th in SL. CAST racers Tyler Nella and Kelby Halbert did not compete in this technical series as they prepare for the next CAST speed camp in Chile. FULL ACA RELEASE BELOW.
ALPINE CANADA ALPIN
For Immediate Release
CANADIANS BIGGS, GAGNON AND PREFONTAINE WIN CONTINENTAL CUP ALPINE SKI RACES AT CORONET PEAK
CORONET PEAK, NZ (August 17, 2010) – Patrick Biggs (Orleans, ON) led a Canadian sweep of the podium and Marie-Michele Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC) also won today during Australia New Zealand Cup FIS slalom races in Coronet Peak, NZ.
Biggs winning two-run combined time of one minute 30.28 seconds was almost half a second better than David Donaldson (Toronto, ON). Trevor White (Calgary, AB), who finished in 1:31.09, was third in the field that included American, Swedish and Japanese skiers among others as well as Australian and New Zealand racers.
On the women’s side, Marie-Michele Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC) was victorious in today’s slalom in a dominant two-run combined time of 1:36.49 followed by American Hailey Duke in 1:38.73 and Madison Irwin (Toronto, ON) in 1:40.60.
Today’s results follow yesterday’s Continental Cup giant slalom races in Coronet Peak won by Marie-Pier Préfontaine (Saint-Sauveur, QC) and American Warner Nickerson.
“Our training in New Zealand has been really good, on hard injected runs. It’s been perfect practice to get ready for the World Cup,” said Préfontaine.
“I’ve been working hard all summer on my strength in the gym and I feel really strong on my skis. We’ve all been working hard and pushing each other this summer. I feel like I have had a good camp so far and now winning, putting together two solid runs, it feels great,” added Préfontaine, who finished second overall in the women’s Coupe Nor-Am Cup GS standings last season.
Canada’s Alpine Ski Teams have been training in New Zealand for much of August in preparation for the upcoming FIS World Cup alpine ski racing season.
Canada's able-bodied and para-alpine ski teams completed last season with 22 World Cup victories, and 44 World Cup podiums with Erik Guay (Mont-Tremblant, QC) becoming the first Canadian since Steve Podborski in 1982 to earn a discipline Crystal Globe, winning the men's super-G title.
CORONET PEAK, NZ – AUGUST 16, 2010 – GIANT SLALOM – LADIES
COMPLETE RESULTS
CORONET PEAK, NZ – AUGUST 16, 2010 – GIANT SLALOM – MEN’S
COMPLETE RESULTS
CORONET PEAK, NZ – AUGUST 17, 2010 – SLALOM – LADIES
COMPLETE RESULTS
CORONET PEAK, NZ – AUGUST 17, 2010 – SLALOM – MEN’S
COMPLETE RESULTS
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Alpine Canada Alpin
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kmarr@canski.org
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