Canadian skiers close to podium at Keystone
Although storms threatened to derail most of the Nor Am Cup races scheduled for this week at Keystone, Colorado, the men’s giant slalom on Monday went off without a hitch.
With most national teams in North America for World Cup events, it was a tougher and more European field than usual.
The win went to Alessandro Roberto of Italy, followed by Kalle Palander of Finland, two of the top World Cup racers. Jake Zamansky of the U.S. placed third, while Canada’s Julien Cousineau finished just 0.05 seconds back to place fourth. Other Canadians in the running included Paul Stutz in 14 th , Patrick Biggs in 17 th , Gareth Sine in 25 th and Louis-Pierre Helie in 30 th .
Tuesday’s races were cancelled due to snow. Slalom races were also held this week.
Meanwhile the women’s team raced at a Nor Am Cup event at Winter Park, Colorado. Marie-Pier Prefontaine of Quebec was the top Canadian finishing 21 st against a top European field. Veronika Zuzulova of Slovakia won gold, followed by Kathrin Zettel of Austria and Katie Hitchcok of the U.S. Anna Goodman and Emilie Desforges of Quebec were 23 rd and 26 th respectively, while Ontario’s Larisa Yurkiw was 29 th .
Canadian women fast in first downhill training
With the men setting the bar high at Lake Louise with two medals and eight top-30 results in last weekend’s downhill and super-G at Lake Louise, the Canadian women are looking for some strong results of their own this weekend. So far so good, with four women finishing the first training run in the top-30. Ontario’s Kelly VanderBeek led the way in second place, while Fernie’s Emily Brydon placed seventh. Whistler’s Britt Janyk, making her debut with the women’s speed team, was 19 th , while Shona Rubens crossed the line in 22 nd .
There are downhill races on Friday and Saturday, followed by a super G on Sunday. CBC Television will be broadcasting the weekend races live.
Forsyth out for season
Injury problems have continued to plague Nanaimo’s Allison Forsyth, who tore a ligament in her left knee during a downhill training run at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. She planned to return to the lineup for this winter, but this week announced that she would take the time off to continue to rehabilitate the injury.
“The injury I suffered in Torino in training was more serious than what I had anticipated at the time,” said Forsyth. “If I want to continue ski racing, I can’t rush the healing of my left knee. It’s frustrating because ski racing is not only my job, but it’s my passion, it’s what I love to do.
“I’ll come back stronger next season. I am committing to be there with my teammates at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver-Whistler.”
Two years ago Forsyth took time off due to tendonitis in her hips, forcing her to drop the slalom discipline. It was a blow to the team, as Forsyth was one of Canada’s top technical skiers, but she made up for it with her results in giant slalom, downhill and super-G. She has three giant slalom World Cup medals to her credit.
