CANADA POST NATIONALS:

Sharpe, Bourque, Waddell, Atkinson nab national freestyle titles

March 26, 2010 — Canadian Freestyle Ski Association         

►Photo: Kris Atkinson jumps to first place in the halfpipe (Mike Ridewood, CFSA); home page, Cassandra Sharpe (MR)

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CALGARY, Alberta — Cassandra Sharpe of Comox, B.C., Stephanie Bourque of Victoria Harbor, Ont., Quinn Waddell and Kris Atkinson, both of Calgary, were the first four victors at the 2010 Canada Post National Freestyle Ski Championships at WinSport Canada’s Canada Olympic Park on Thursday.

In women’s slopestyle, Sharpe won the gold medal with 31.9 points for her first career national crown after placing third in Halifax recently at the Canada Post Junior Nationals.  Yuki Tsubota of Pemberton, B.C., was second at 28.0 and Bourque was third at 27.4.

It was the first time slopestyle has been integrated into a Canadian Senior Nationals event. In this discipline, athletes are judged on their performance in an obstacle course of rails and jumps.

“It was great fun being out there in the nice conditions,’’ said Sharpe, 17, who started competing in the sport five years ago. “The keys for me were landing my back flip and my 540. I’ve gained a lot of experience this year competing throughout B.C., and Canada. It just it keeps getting bigger and better for me.’’

In men’s slopestyle, 16-year-old Waddell of Calgary was the victor with a 39.7 score. Tucker Visser of Penticton, B.C., was second at 38.6 and Keaton Carlson of Calgary third at 38.2.

“I stayed in a good mood and tried to have fun,’’ said Quinn, also with his first national title. “I was very happy with my performance. I have been having a tendency lately of going too fast on my runs and I was able to control that today.’’

In women’s halfpipe, Bourque notched her second medal of the day, posting the win with 27.6 points. She also won gold at the recent junior nationals in slopestyle and big air. Shannon Gunning of Calgary was second at 25.3 and Tsubota third at 24.7.

“I’m super-pumped about my performance,’’ said Bourque, 17. “I stayed focused and never gave up. We didn’t get an opportunity to train that match in the pipe so that it was always a tough situation.’’

In men’s halfpipe, Atkinson dominated with a 41.2 score to successfully defend his national title. Garett Northey of Red Deer, Alta., was second at 34.6 and Aaron MacKay of Calgary third at 33.9.

“It felt great,’’ said Atkinson, 18. “The sunny weather helped and I wanted to win again this year. The pipe wasn’t in top condition so that posed a big challenge for all the competitors.’’

The freestyle halfpipe is similar to the snowboard version except it is executed on skis.

Competition continues with moguls qualifications on Friday. Aerials and single moguls finals are Saturday; dual moguls are on Sunday. Follow all these events live on a streaming webcast at: http://www.freestyleski.com/en/index.php/national-championships-live-broadcast/.  SRC

Thursday’s results at the Canadian freestyle skiing championships in Calgary:

SLOPESTYLE

Men:
1. Quinn Waddell, Calgary, 39.7; 2. Tucker Visser, Penticton, B.C., 38.6; 3.Keaton Carlson, Calgary, 38.2; 4. Alex Mochan, Grande Prairie, Alta., 37.5; 5. Hunter Visser, Penticton, B.C., 35.9; 6. Aaron McKay, Calgary, 35.7; 7. Thomas Nelner, Calgary, 35.0; 8. Brendan MacKay, Calgary, 33.7; 9. Corbin Lefebvre, Grovedale, Alta., 33.7; 10. Michael Brush, Panorama, B.C., 33.5.

Women:
1. Cassandra Sharpe, Comox, B.C., 31.9; 2. Yuki Tsubota, Pemberton, B.C., 28.0; 3. Stephanie Bourque, Victoria Harbor, Ont., 27.4; 4. Keltie Hansen, Edmonton, 25.9; 5. Meagan Fiselier, Calgary, 13.8; 6. Jackie Atkinson, Calgary, 10.8; 7. Tianna Franks, Kelowna, B.C., 8.3.

HALFPIPE

Men:
1. Kris Atkinson, Calgary, 41.2; 2. Garett Northey, Red Deer, Alta., 34.6; 3. Aaron MacKay, Calgary, 33.9; 4. Keaton Carlson, Calgary, 33.9; 5. Brendan MacKay, Calgary, 32.4; 6. Lukas Bowman, Alberta, 32.4; 7. Alex Mochan, Grande Prairie, Alta., 32.0; 8. Thomas Pool, B.C., 31.9; 9. Sam Thackray, B.C., 31.5; 10. Collin Jefferies, Red Deer, Alta., 30.6.

Women:
1. Stephanie Bourque, Victoria Harbor, Ont., 27.6; 2. Shannon Gunning, Calgary, 25.3; 3. Yuki Tsubota, Pemberton, B.C., 24.7; 4. Jackie Atkinson, Calgary, 22.5; 5. Cassandra Sharpe, Comox, B.C., 19.3; 6. Tianna Franks, Kelowna, B.C., 13.9.