Female skiers from the national development team, provincial teams and clubs across Canada, as well as a large contingent of American skiers, took part in the Nor-Am Cup races at Mont Ste. Anne last week.
In the first giant slalom, Kristen Mielke of the U.S. took the win, followed by Marie-Pier Prefontaine of the national development team, and Chirine Njeim of Lebanon – an up and coming skier who grew up ski racing in France but retained her dual citizenship.
In stormy conditions where 35 athletes did not finish their first or second runs, and 18 skiers decided to drop out of the finals, only 23 athletes finished with a ranking on day one. In 22 nd place was Whistler’s Alison Leighton, who is racing with the B.C. Ski Team.
In the second GS the following day, Invermere’s Christina Lustenberger claimed the gold, well over a second ahead of Keely Blair Kelleher and Kristen Mielke of the U.S.
In the first slalom Caitlin Ciccone and Katharine Hitchcock of the U.S. took first and third, while Anna Goodman of the national team claimed the silver.
On the fourth and last day of racing, another slalom, it was an all-U.S. podium, with the top Canadian, Marie-Pier Prefontaine in 10 th .
Leighton was on track for strong finishes in both slalom events, but did not finish her second runs.
