ALPINE:

Wells wins K2 giant slalom at Georgian Peaks

March 24, 2010 — Alpine Canada          ►Photo: The GS course at Georgian Peaks (Alpine Canada)

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COLLINGWOOD, Ont. — Alix Wells from British Columbia was crowned national giant slalom champion Wednesday as race action continued at the President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships.

Racing under clear skies and cooler temperatures at the Georgian Peaks Ski Club, 79 young racers between the ages of 13 and 14 years old took to the slopes for another great day of racing featuring perfect snow conditions.

Wells, who was the fastest racer in the first run, mustered the confidence required to also set the pace in the afternoon, allowing her to secure the gold with a time of 1 minute, 26.08 seconds.

"I had nothing to lose coming into my second run," said Wells, who is the lone representative from her local ski club, Taber Mountain in B.C. "If you go halfway, you won't win. So, I went all out and just tried to have some fun. I'm a pretty calm racer and I know stuff happens — it is ski racing after all," added the skier who won the overall title at the B.C. provincials.

"I'm think what surprises me the most today is how close I am to Remme," admitted Wells after capturing the win and preventing Roni Remme from taking her third gold medal at these championships. "I skied with her on Team Canada at the Whistler Cup and know what a strong competitor she is.”

Remme finished second with a time of 1:26.58. After being crowned champion in the super-G and super-combined races earlier this week, Remme was visibly disappointed to have to settle for a silver medal in the giant slalom.

"I'm upset for sure," said Remme. "I was coming down with a ton of speed, enough to win it, but I started pinching at the bottom, getting too close to the gates where you can't move away from the gates. It caught me and I finished up skating in off-balance. It came down to a small mistake for me and a great run for Alix.”

Remme finished third in giant slalom and first in the combi at the 2009 Whistler Cup.

Mikaela Tommy from the Quebec team took home the bronze medal with a time of 1:28.12.

Sitting in fifth place following the first leg, Tommy turned on her engines to secure a spot on the podium.

"I felt good today," admitted Tommy, who comes from a strong lineage of racers with both her parents — Mike and Gabbi — having represented Canada at the international level. "The second run was definitely better than my first but it was a solid run, a few mistakes but that is all part of ski racing.”

Tommy won the giant slalom title at the Quebec provincials and was second in the Quebec slalom provincials.

Race action at the 2010 President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships continues Thursday with the men's giant slalom starting at 9 a.m. at Georgian Peaks. The race will be followed by the President's Choice Volunteer Appreciation Party at Georgian Peaks Ski Club, starting at 2 p.m.  SRC