ALPINE:
K2 GS: Brown wins again, Taylor, Kuss also podium
COLLINGWOOD, Ontario — Griffin Brown from Team USA is visibly enjoying his first racing experience in Canada. On Thursday, the young skier representing Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont stole the show for a third race in a row by winning the men's giant slalom at the 2010 President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships.
Brown, who had the fastest run of the morning, completed both giant slalom runs in a time of 1 minute, 30.35 seconds.
"For the first run, I knew the pitch was steep so I focused on double pole plants to stay forward," explained Brown. "I tried to stay above the line, move immediately after each gate and continue my double pole plants. I think it paid off."
Despite having dominated all events this week and being a force to be reckoned with on his team, Griffin has not been selected to participate in the Whistler Cup. While Team Canada will be composed of the top performers from this year's President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships, Team USA makes its selections for the Whistler Cup at an event called the Junior Olympics, which were held earlier this month.
"Mentally the JO's were hard for me," admitted Brown. "I wasn't there. I was too focused on making the Whistler Cup and not relaxing and performing. Here I'm relaxed, I have nothing to gain so I'm learning to execute the right moves."
Aaron Taylor from Holimont Ski Club in Ellicotville, N.Y., and a resident of Hamilton, Ont., came in second place with a cumulative time of 1:31.06. Despite strong skiing, Taylor is also chasing a seat for the Whistler Cup.
"I had a small mistake in my first run, tripping at the start," said Taylor, who has been evolving as part of the Holimont Ski Club, which is located only two hours from his hometown of Hamilton.
"Overall, I skied well in my second run, staying low on the pitch. The snow was fast but definitively softer than yesterday.”
He met the Team USA Whistler Cup qualification standards but is now hoping to join Team Canada for this prestigious event held every April in Whistler. Athletes participating at the Whistler Cup must represent their country of nationality.
"I qualified for Team USA by winning the giant slalom and being second overall at the Junior Olympics," added Taylor. "These President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships are similar to our Junior Olympics. The competition is about the same.”
Karl Kuus from Devil's Glen in Ontario took home the bronze with a combined time of 1:30.44. This marked Kuus' third medal at the President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships, including bronze in the super-G and silver in the super-combined.
Sitting in fifth place after the first run, Kuus looked happy and relaxed with the final outcome from the giant slalom race.
"I am so happy today," exclaimed Kuus. "My first run was awful, I was a full second out. I hit the first gate and got some air and then I was pivoting so I knew I had to step it up and charge. My second run was a bit tight, the snow a bit rough but not too bad."
Looking ahead to Friday’s slalom at Craigleith, Kuus looked excited: "I'm ready, I just raced Craigleth in our spring series so its all perfect — I'm ready to do it!"
Thursday’s race was the first in this competition where the snow and warm weather were factors. Prior days enjoyed incredible conditions, with coaches even calling Wednesday's race conditions for the women’s giant slalom the best they'd had all year. The temperature did not drop as expected Wednesday night and the race started out with 5-degree temperatures with regular fertilizer applications.
"So far, the effort put forth by the two race organizing committees (Osler Bluff ski club and Georgian Peaks Club) have been fantastic," said Michael Colley, director of business development for Alpine Canada. "Arriving in Collingwood on Sunday, one would not have thought it possible to conduct a speed event, let alone four runs of super-G in one day. The team at Osler prepared a course for all athletes which was fair, fast and fun!
"In the last two days, we've also been thrilled with the hill conditions prepared by Georgian Peaks" added Colley. "Alpine Ontario and the organizing committees have impressed all athletes, coaches and officials from the get go and all look forward to the remaining President's Choice Canadian Championships racing events.”
A cold front is expected to move in which will ensure great racing conditions for Friday's slalom race at Craigleith.
The 2010 President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships will be ending on a high note on Friday with boys' and girls' racing action moving to Craigleith for the slalom events. Racing will be followed by the much anticipated East/West Dual under the lights followed by fireworks. Athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers will also be marking the conclusion of these championships with a banquet. SRC
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