BANFF – After not finishing his opening runs in his first three races here this week, Benjamin MacLean of Pemberton, B.C., won the gold medal on Tuesday in the men’s giant slalom to conclude the third stop on the GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit.
MacLean, 19, clocked a two run time of one minute and 47.72 seconds for his first career victory on the circuit. Jack Gower of Britain, a member of his national youth team currently in Canada to attend the Olympic Games as a spectator, was second in 1:48.14. Cory Canart of Beaumont, Alta., was third.
“Finishing my races has been my biggest challenge this year,” said MacLean, who was ousted in the first run in the weekend slaloms and Monday’s GS. “Today I just told myself to keep going, to keep fighting. To get the victory here is a big stepping stone for my career.”
Canart produced a big lead after the first run but struggled on the second.
“I blew it,” said Canart. “I made a big mistake in the flat section between the two pitches and that’s where I fell badly behind. I’m pretty disappointed.”
In the women’s GS, Victoria Michalik of Banff stepped on the podium for a second straight day winning in 1:54.82. Vanessa Alboiu of Kananaskis, Alta., was second in 1:55.48 and Celine Rytz of Fernie, B.C., was third in 1:55.79.
Rytz won the bronze in all four races here this week and her consistency has been rewarded with the current overall lead in the circuit standings. She faced her biggest challenge in Tuesday’s race.
“I’m feeling pretty sick and it was a real challenge to make it down,” said Rytz, 17, with nine top-three performances in her last 10 races overall. “It was hard to be aggressive in my runs today. It’s still pretty cool though to have these consistent results. It’s a good track record.”
2/09/2010
2/08/2010
Alpine skiing: Erik Read and Sarah Freeman win giant slalom races at GMC Cup
BANFF, Alta. – Erik Read of Banff hopes he’s put a tough 2009-2010 season behind him with his victory in the men’s giant slalom on Monday at the GMC Cup alpine skiing competition. Meanwhile Sarah Freeman of Fernie, B.C., experienced victory for the first time in her competitive career winning the women’s GS.
In the men’s giant slalom, Read clocked a two-run time of one minute and 49.53 seconds with Cory Canart of Beaumont, Alta., second in 1:49.67 and Mathieu Leduc of Comox, B.C., third in 1:50.66.
Read arrived home just 24 hours before Monday’s race after three weeks in Europe which included last week’s world junior championships. He missed the first half of the season with a broken hand.
“It was nice to come back to the home hill, it definitely gave me some confidence being here,” said Read, 18, the son of Canadian skiing legend Ken Read. His mother Lynda Robbins won the GMC Cup overall title in 1979.
“Sure there was fatigue from the trip, but | made sure I was ready to go today. I was really aggressive and skied smart in the sections you needed to be strong technically.”
Canart was back on the podium after not finishing his first runs in the weekend slalom races.
“It was a good to get a finish and the medal as well,” said Canart, a double medallist at the previous circuit stop in Apex, B.C., last month. “This was one of the steepest runs I’ve faced and I felt I had one of my best races this season.”
Leduc,20, won both slalom races on the weekend.
“Neither run went the way I wanted,” said Leduc. “I was having a lot trouble moving properly on the course and having a hard time with the terrain. But this result hasn’t affected my confidence. I know the technique is there and I just have to put it down on race day.”
In the women’s GS, Freeman clocked one minute and 57.20 seconds over two runs with Victoria Michalik of Banff, Alta., second in 1:57.83 and Celine Rytz of Fernie, B.C., third at 1:57.92.
“I"ve never won before...ever,” said Freeman, 17, second after the opening run. “I was just trying to keep my position in the second run, I was so nervous. I guess there was some hope I could win a race with my recent results but that was always a nerve wracking thought for me.”
Michalik, 16, was seventh after the opening run but some adjustments to her equipment helped her clock the fastest time on the second run.
“My first run was really bad and my coach did some work to my skis and that really helped,” said Michalik, who posted fifth places at the first two slalom races here on the weekend. “The course was really icy with a lot of turns and I was able to ski with more control and gave it my all.”
Rytz notched a bronze for the third consecutive race and has top-three finishes in eight of her last nine races.
“The consistency is something I’ve never had before,” said Rytz, 17. “I’m still a bit disappointed with my times, I was going for the gold today. But I’m improving and that’s what is most important at this point.”
In the men’s giant slalom, Read clocked a two-run time of one minute and 49.53 seconds with Cory Canart of Beaumont, Alta., second in 1:49.67 and Mathieu Leduc of Comox, B.C., third in 1:50.66.
Read arrived home just 24 hours before Monday’s race after three weeks in Europe which included last week’s world junior championships. He missed the first half of the season with a broken hand.
“It was nice to come back to the home hill, it definitely gave me some confidence being here,” said Read, 18, the son of Canadian skiing legend Ken Read. His mother Lynda Robbins won the GMC Cup overall title in 1979.
“Sure there was fatigue from the trip, but | made sure I was ready to go today. I was really aggressive and skied smart in the sections you needed to be strong technically.”
Canart was back on the podium after not finishing his first runs in the weekend slalom races.
“It was a good to get a finish and the medal as well,” said Canart, a double medallist at the previous circuit stop in Apex, B.C., last month. “This was one of the steepest runs I’ve faced and I felt I had one of my best races this season.”
Leduc,20, won both slalom races on the weekend.
“Neither run went the way I wanted,” said Leduc. “I was having a lot trouble moving properly on the course and having a hard time with the terrain. But this result hasn’t affected my confidence. I know the technique is there and I just have to put it down on race day.”
In the women’s GS, Freeman clocked one minute and 57.20 seconds over two runs with Victoria Michalik of Banff, Alta., second in 1:57.83 and Celine Rytz of Fernie, B.C., third at 1:57.92.
“I"ve never won before...ever,” said Freeman, 17, second after the opening run. “I was just trying to keep my position in the second run, I was so nervous. I guess there was some hope I could win a race with my recent results but that was always a nerve wracking thought for me.”
Michalik, 16, was seventh after the opening run but some adjustments to her equipment helped her clock the fastest time on the second run.
“My first run was really bad and my coach did some work to my skis and that really helped,” said Michalik, who posted fifth places at the first two slalom races here on the weekend. “The course was really icy with a lot of turns and I was able to ski with more control and gave it my all.”
Rytz notched a bronze for the third consecutive race and has top-three finishes in eight of her last nine races.
“The consistency is something I’ve never had before,” said Rytz, 17. “I’m still a bit disappointed with my times, I was going for the gold today. But I’m improving and that’s what is most important at this point.”
2/07/2010
Alpine skiing: Leduc and Carroll repeat winners at GMC Cup
BANFF, Alta., Mathieu Leduc of Comox, B.C., and Tianda Carroll of Edmonton won the men’s and women’s slalom respectively for the second straight day on Sunday at the GMC Cup alpine skiing competition at Mount Norquay.
In the women’s slalom, Carroll notched her second win in a row clocking 1:47.08 over two runs. Noelle Barahona of Chile was second in 1:47.98 and Celine Rytz of Fernie, B.C., was third for the second straight day clocking 1:48.21.
“I felt my racing was better today,” said Carroll, 16, with top-10 showings in her last eight races including four wins. “I like the pitch a lot on this course and I found it easy to get into a rhythm. But the key for me is to stay calm at the start and focus on what I have to do.”
Rytz, 17, has also been solid in 2010 with top-three finishes in seven of her last eight races.
“I’m a little disappointed I wasn’t able to get the gold,” said Rytz. “I really need to work on being more aggressive on the flats because I just cruise along. But it’s exciting to be getting a few podium appearances of late.”
In the men’s slalom, Leduc took the gold decisively in 1:39.73 with Geoffrey Massing of Edmonton second in 1:43.74 and Jorge Martinic of Chile third in 1:44.77.
“I was a lot calmer on my second run today,” said Leduc, 20, with six top-five finishes in his last six races. “I figured I already have a gold medal here so I might as well just go for it and it worked out. I’ve done a lot more training this season and now it’s starting to show with these results.”
Massing hadn’t completed his first run in his previous two races including Saturday’s slalom.
“It was a beautiful day, great conditions and I made the best of it,” said Massing, 22, fourth after the opening run. “I feel things starting to come around for me but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
In the women’s slalom, Carroll notched her second win in a row clocking 1:47.08 over two runs. Noelle Barahona of Chile was second in 1:47.98 and Celine Rytz of Fernie, B.C., was third for the second straight day clocking 1:48.21.
“I felt my racing was better today,” said Carroll, 16, with top-10 showings in her last eight races including four wins. “I like the pitch a lot on this course and I found it easy to get into a rhythm. But the key for me is to stay calm at the start and focus on what I have to do.”
Rytz, 17, has also been solid in 2010 with top-three finishes in seven of her last eight races.
“I’m a little disappointed I wasn’t able to get the gold,” said Rytz. “I really need to work on being more aggressive on the flats because I just cruise along. But it’s exciting to be getting a few podium appearances of late.”
In the men’s slalom, Leduc took the gold decisively in 1:39.73 with Geoffrey Massing of Edmonton second in 1:43.74 and Jorge Martinic of Chile third in 1:44.77.
“I was a lot calmer on my second run today,” said Leduc, 20, with six top-five finishes in his last six races. “I figured I already have a gold medal here so I might as well just go for it and it worked out. I’ve done a lot more training this season and now it’s starting to show with these results.”
Massing hadn’t completed his first run in his previous two races including Saturday’s slalom.
“It was a beautiful day, great conditions and I made the best of it,” said Massing, 22, fourth after the opening run. “I feel things starting to come around for me but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Alpine skiing: Matt Leduc earns first career victory on GMC Cup circuit
BANFF, Alta. – Matt Leduc of Comox, B.C., earned his first career victory and medal on the GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit on Saturday at Mount Norquay winning the men’s slalom race. Tianda Carroll of Edmonton took the women’s slalom.
In the men’s slalom, Leduc clocked a two-run time of one minute and 35.16 seconds. Cody Pedersen of Banff was second at 1:36.62 and Michael Law of Cochrane, Alta., third at 1:41.45. Leduc was first after the opening run.
“I am pretty excited about the win,” said Leduc, 19. “I have never been first after an opening run so I was pretty nervous for the second. The course was a good fit for my skill set. You had to be aggressive and you had to know how to negociate the problem areas.”
It was also a first medal on the circuit for Pedersen.
“On the first run, I made a costly mistake and was lucky to finish,” he said. “The second run was better and I skied smart and fast. I will try to clean up my first run tomorrow and challenge for first spot.”
Law was fifth after the first run.
“I skied really well,” said the 16-year-old celebrating his first medal on the circuit. “I really had to hold on in places and the course was pretty tough. I thought fifth after the first run was great since a lot of skiers were not able to finish.’’
In the women’s slalom, Carroll continued her solid skiing since the New Year clocking 1:41.88. Sarah Freeman of Fernie, B.C., was second in 1:42.18 and Celine Ritz of Fernie, B.C., a downhill winner at the previous stop at Apex Mountain last month, was third in 1:42.71. Both Ritz and Freeman are with the B.C. Ski Team.
‘’It feels great to get the win,’’ said Carroll, with top-10 showings in her last seven races including three wins. ‘’The courses really suited me and I had fun. I was able to stay focused and it continues a good season for me.’’
Freeman overcame a very painful sore throat to nab the silver.
‘’I’ve raced with pneumonia before so I wanted to race today no matter what,’’ said Freeman. ‘’I was sipping tea at the start gate and just barely had enough energy to make it down. I’m a little surprised to get second place.’’
In the men’s slalom, Leduc clocked a two-run time of one minute and 35.16 seconds. Cody Pedersen of Banff was second at 1:36.62 and Michael Law of Cochrane, Alta., third at 1:41.45. Leduc was first after the opening run.
“I am pretty excited about the win,” said Leduc, 19. “I have never been first after an opening run so I was pretty nervous for the second. The course was a good fit for my skill set. You had to be aggressive and you had to know how to negociate the problem areas.”
It was also a first medal on the circuit for Pedersen.
“On the first run, I made a costly mistake and was lucky to finish,” he said. “The second run was better and I skied smart and fast. I will try to clean up my first run tomorrow and challenge for first spot.”
Law was fifth after the first run.
“I skied really well,” said the 16-year-old celebrating his first medal on the circuit. “I really had to hold on in places and the course was pretty tough. I thought fifth after the first run was great since a lot of skiers were not able to finish.’’
In the women’s slalom, Carroll continued her solid skiing since the New Year clocking 1:41.88. Sarah Freeman of Fernie, B.C., was second in 1:42.18 and Celine Ritz of Fernie, B.C., a downhill winner at the previous stop at Apex Mountain last month, was third in 1:42.71. Both Ritz and Freeman are with the B.C. Ski Team.
‘’It feels great to get the win,’’ said Carroll, with top-10 showings in her last seven races including three wins. ‘’The courses really suited me and I had fun. I was able to stay focused and it continues a good season for me.’’
Freeman overcame a very painful sore throat to nab the silver.
‘’I’ve raced with pneumonia before so I wanted to race today no matter what,’’ said Freeman. ‘’I was sipping tea at the start gate and just barely had enough energy to make it down. I’m a little surprised to get second place.’’
2/06/2010
Squash: Canada’s Shahier Razik eliminated in quarterfinals at Bluenose Classic
HALIFAX – Shahier Razik of Toronto lost to top-seed Peter Barker of England 11-9, 11-9, 11-3 in the quarterfinals on Friday at the $40,000 Bluenose Classic men’s professional squash tournament. Razik was the last remaining Canadian in the tournament.
Razik, ranked 31st in the world, played a strong match, especially in the first two games as he never allowed the world number-seven Barker to dictate the pace. However Razik fell behind early in the third game and wasn’t able to catch-up.
The top four seeds, all ranked in the top-15 in the world, won their quarterfinal matches.
Number-two David Palmer of Australia defeated sixth-seed Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia 11-6, 11-9, 11-3, third-seed Thierry Lincou of France beat fifth seed Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia 11-6, 11-7 and fourth seed Darryl Selby of England eliminated Aaron Frankcomb of Australia 11-5, 11-9, 11-2.
Iksandar withdrew after the second game of his match due to a leg injury.
The semifinal match-ups are Barker against Selby and Palmer vs Lincou. Action starts at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s University. The championship final is Sunday at 23 p.m.
The tournament is a stop on both the Canadian Circuit and the Professional Squash Association tour.
Razik, ranked 31st in the world, played a strong match, especially in the first two games as he never allowed the world number-seven Barker to dictate the pace. However Razik fell behind early in the third game and wasn’t able to catch-up.
The top four seeds, all ranked in the top-15 in the world, won their quarterfinal matches.
Number-two David Palmer of Australia defeated sixth-seed Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia 11-6, 11-9, 11-3, third-seed Thierry Lincou of France beat fifth seed Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia 11-6, 11-7 and fourth seed Darryl Selby of England eliminated Aaron Frankcomb of Australia 11-5, 11-9, 11-2.
Iksandar withdrew after the second game of his match due to a leg injury.
The semifinal match-ups are Barker against Selby and Palmer vs Lincou. Action starts at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s University. The championship final is Sunday at 23 p.m.
The tournament is a stop on both the Canadian Circuit and the Professional Squash Association tour.
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