Members of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club/B.C. ski cross team headed to Sugar Bowl, California for a Nor-Am Cup competition last week, matching moves against some of the top racers in the world who were using the event as a warm-up for the Olympic Games.
Fanny Smith of Switzerland won the first race, followed by French champion Ophelie David and French teammate Marion Josserand.
The WMSC's Catriona Blair made the final, placing fourth. Danielle Willhoeft of Vancouver was sixth, one spot back of Australian Brooke Dunleavy. Mariell Thompson of Whistler crashed, placing seventh.
Only Fanny Smith returned on day two, winning the event. Marielle Thompson - sporting a black eye and a scratched face - placed second, followed by Catriona Blair and Danielle Willhoeft.
The men's team also had a solid outing against a much larger field. World Cup racer Enak Gavaggio took the win, followed by American John Teller, French skier Ted Piccard and the WMSC's Stan Rey. Other Whistler skiers in the running were Sven Winter in ninth, Nick Geddes in 10 th and Frazer McGaw in 16th.
On day two Stan Rey climbed the podium in second place, while Sven Winter moved up to fourth. Rob Lepine was seventh, Nick Geddes 10 th and Frazer McGaw 12 th .
Events on the horizon for the team include the Nor-Am Cup finals and the Canadian championships.
