ALPINE:

Janyk, Osborne-Paradis claim national downhill crowns

March 22, 2010 — The Canadian Press     ►Photo: Britt Janyk (Agence Zoom)         

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NASKISKA SKI AREA, Alberta — Manuel Osborne-Paradis captured his first Canadian alpine skiing title Monday while veteran Britt Janyk stood atop the podium for the 12th time in her career.

Paradis, a native of Invermere, B.C., won gold in the men's downhill on the opening day of competition at the GMC Canadian Championships at Nakiska Resort.

Janyk, from Whistler, B.C., took gold in the women's downhill.

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Osborne-Paradis, a two-time World Cup downhill winner, finished first in 54.92 seconds to lock up his first national crown in any discipline.

"This is my first one, so that’s good," he said in a release.

Osborne-Paradis said the result shows he's growing as a skier.

"You need to muster up enough strength after the end of the World Cup season (to win a Canadian championship) and today just shows that I am maturing a little bit that I am able to do that,” he said.

Junior Kelby Halbert of Bradford, Ont., turned some heads by finishing second ahead of some national team members in 55.64. Erik Guay of Mont-Tremblant, Que., was third in 55.76.

"Manny and Erik both won World Cups this year," said the 6-foot-8 Halbert. "I just went for it, used my size and I am really happy with the result. Silver is good enough for me today."

On the women's side, Janyk won in 57.87, just 0.23 seconds ahead of Emily Brydon of Fernie, B.C.

"It’s definitely a little bit lower stress compared to the World Cup season," said Janyk. "And it's always nice to finish the season off with a race at home."

Defending champion Shona Rubens of Canmore, Alta., was third while national development team member Victoria Whitney of Whistler was the top junior in fourth.

The men's super-G and women's super-combined are slated for Tuesday.  SRC

2010 GMC Canadian Championships Schedule of Events

Nakiska Ski Area, March 20-27

Tuesday, March 23
Men's GMC Canadian Championship super-G - Nakiska, Alberta
Women’s GMC Canadian Championship super combined - Nakiska, Alberta
Wednesday, March 24
Men's GMC Canadian Championship super-combined - Nakiska, Alberta
Women’s GMC Canadian Championship super-G - Nakiska, Alberta
Thursday, March 25
Men's GMC Canadian Championship giant slalom - Nakiska, Alberta
Friday, March 26
Women’s GMC Canadian Championship giant slalom - Nakiska, Alberta
Saturday, March 27
Men's & women’s GMC Canadian Championship slalom - Nakiska, Alberta
March of Champions - Canada Olympic Park - Calgary, Alberta

*GMC Canadian Championships races are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. each day.