Whistler’s Britt Janyk won a Europa Cup giant slalom in Chamonix, France Dec. 13, finishing nearly 1.5 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
Janyk, 20, won both runs of the race, the first Europa Cup GS victory by a Canadian woman since Dee Dee Haight won at Serre Chevalier, France in 1986.
There were several regular World Cup competitors in the Europa Cup race, so the victory should provide Janyk with inspiration for her next World Cup start, Dec. 19 at Sestriere, Italy.
Janyk, who had one Europa Cup podium appearance last season (also in GS), finished 1.47 seconds ahead of Stina Nilsen of Norway and nearly two seconds ahead of World Cup racer Eveline Rohregger of Austria.
Janyk, an all-event racer, is the reigning Nor-Am giant slalom champion. Her victory Wednesday moved her well up the GS rankings, to 31 st .
Other Canadian results in the GS included Julie Langevin, who finished 21 st , Geneveive Simard was 28 th and Sara-Maude Boucher was 32 nd . Anna Prchal and Megan Mullen did not finish the race.
Janyk and Fernie’s Emily Brydon have both been attracting attention this season, their first as regulars on the World Cup circuit. The two are coached by Whistler’s Jim Pollack, who has coached them since they were on the B.C. Ski Team together.
