SKI CROSS:

Cline, Rey savor ski cross national titles

March 29, 2010 — Canada Ski Cross     ►Photo: Aleisha Cline (center) on the FIS podium (Oliver Kraus, FIS)

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CALGARY, Alberta — Just back from the last leg of the World Cup season in Europe, the Canadian ski cross team hosted the national championships March 27-28 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta.  

With competitors from Ontario to the Yukon, Australia and the USA, the final ski cross event of the 2009-10 season was a global affair. 

In women’s racing, Aleisha Cline of Squamish, B.C., ended both days victorious over B.C. Ski Cross team member Marielle Thompson. Calgary’s Danielle Poleschuk took third on the podium both days. Brooke Dunleavy of Australia managed to get to the finals each day, coming in fourth both days. The women had some good racing and fun on the course, which is the main goal of the national championships. On winning Saturday’s race, Cline said, “After such a challenging and fairly disappointing season, winning on Saturday and becoming national champion was a great way to end the year!”

In men’s competition, Stan Rey of Whistler took home both national champion titles as well, for FIS and Open Category races. In Saturday’s FIS event, Rey was followed closely by Sven Winter of Vancouver and Ian Deans, with American Patrick Duran placing fourth after a spectacular crash on the line in the semifinal heat.

With a similar start list on Sunday, Rey was again victorious in a close final heat, with David Holmes second and Rob Lepine third. Brian Bennett crashed in the final while trying to make a pass near the bottom of the course, finishing the day in fourth. Rey said he had a “really fun week racing at COP” and “is stoked to be able to come out on top. All in all, a great race!”

All podium finishers in Sunday’s open race took home a share of $4,500 in prize money, which was graciously donated by Carscallen Leitch LLP, Devonian Properties and Fortress Energy Inc.  SRC

Ski Cross National Championships

Saturday, March 27

WOMEN
1 – Aleisha CLINE (Squamish, B.C.)
2 – Marielle THOMPSON (Whistler, B.C.)
3 – Danielle POLESCHUK (Calgary, Alta.)
4 – Brooke DUNLEAVY (AUS)
5 – Catriona BLAIR (Whistler, B.C.)
6 – Danielle WILLHOEFT (Vancouver, B.C.)
7 – Bryann PALMER (Kamloops, B.C.)
DNS – Kelsey SERWA (Kelowna, B.C.)
DNS – Ashleigh MCIVOR (Whistler, B.C.)
 
MEN
1 – Stanislas REY (Whistler, B.C.)
2 – Sven WINTER (Vancouver, B.C.)
3 – Ian DEANS (Kelowna, B.C.)
4 – Patrick DURAN (USA)
5 – Brian BENNETT (Quesnel, B.C.)
6 – Sammy KENT (Whitehorse, Yukon)
7 – Nicholas GEDDES (Whister, B.C.)
8 – Cam BAILEY (Calgary, B.C.)
 
Sunday, March 28

Prize Winners – OPEN RACE

WOMEN
$1,500 – Aleisha CLINE (Squamish, B.C.)
$500 – Marielle THOMPSON (Whistler, B.C.)
$250 – Danielle POLESCHUK (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

MEN
$1,500 – Stanilas REY (Whistler, B.C.)
$500 – David HOLMES (Toronto, Ont.)
$250 – Rob LEPINE (Edmonton, Alta.)