ALPINE:

Danniels fastest in Paralympics opening training run

March 10, 2010 — Alpine Canada

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WHISTLER, B.C. — Hometown boy Sam Danniels had the fastest time in the first downhill training run Wednesday for the Paralympic Winter Games. Danniels, who finished fifth in the downhill event at the IPC World Cup Finals in Whistler last year, is in his first full season of racing on the IPC World Cup circuit.

After being delayed for more then three hours because of lack of visibility on the hill, the session finally took off. Danniels managed to keep his focus and cross the finish line with a time of 1 minute, 20.47 seconds to finish first.

"That was amazing. That was fun. I waited all year to do this course once again and it was all I expected," said a grinning Danniels. "I'm happy I'm alive, I'm happy I made it and the fact that I'm first is just the icing on the cake. I really can't wait for the real race to happen on Saturday."

Two other Canadian athletes on the para-alpine ski team finished on top of their category.

Viviane Forest along with her guide Lindsay Debou finished with the fastest time as they crossed the finish line with a time of 1:30.02. They achieved the 2010 overall IPC World Cup ranking. 

"It feels amazing to be on our home track and we will have to clean up a few areas for race day, like the distance between us for example," said Debou, who has been guiding Forest since last season. "Viviane sees the shape and colors really well so the closer we are together, the easier it is for her to see the layout of the course and see where I am."

"I think we just have home-track advantage because we had a race here last year and we won it. Plus we really have the best coaches, support staff and team that we could ever wish for," added Debou. 

The third Canadian athlete to lead after the first downhill training run is Lauren Woolstencroft, who classifies in the standing category. The three-time Paralympian finished with a time of 1:28.96.

Also in the standing category Karolina Winiewska finished in seventh place. These are Wisniewska’s third Games, as she competed in the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano and the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

First time Paralympians Andrea Dziewior and Melanie Schwartz finished in 10th and 13th place, respectively.

In the visually impaired category, Christopher Williamson and his guide Nick Brush finished in third place with a time of 1:22.55. Mark Bathum from the U.S. had the fastest time in that category.

Josh Dueck, who classifies in the men's sitting category, finished in sixth place. Dueck won the IPC World Cup Finals in the downhill event last year here at Whistler.

The men's standing athletes did not train on the downhill track due to long delays and lack of visibility. They are set to take part in Thursday’s training run, weather permitting.  SRC