ALPINE:

Canadians nab 4 podiums as Whistler Cup kicks off

April 9, 2010 — Alpine Canada

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WHISTLER, B.C. — It was a good start to the 2010 Whistler Cup for Canadians, with the hosts winning two of four events to open the only FIS-sanctioned international ski race of its kind in North America.

The Whistler Cup is celebrating its 18th anniversary of competition this year, bringing together the top 11- to 14-year-old (K1 and K2) ski racers in the world to Whistler for the annual competition.

King rules super-G

The day began with a win for 14-year-old Emma King of Whistler Mountain Ski Club, who said great skiing and good advice was the key to victory in the girls’ K2 super-G.

"My coaches were just telling me to ski and have fun. It's the last race of the year and there is no pressure. I just did what the coaches told me during inspection and I guess it paid off," said King, who finished in a winning time of 1 minute, 8.22 seconds.

"I am always nervous before a race or training run. It's kind of my comfort zone. If I am not nervous, then it may not be a good day," added King, who has been skiing since the age of 3 and began racing six years later.

The race was a nailbiter, as Austria's Julia Grosshaupt finished just 0.11 behind King, with USA's Mikaela Shiffrin third in 1:08.37.

Invermere’s Sharp wins boys’ K1 kombi
Keegan Sharp of Team Panorama had Canada's second victory on day one, taking the boys’ K1 kombi race.

Sharp admitted the international competition is a little more intimidating than the local and provincial races, but he said it was something he has been able to manage.

"Skiers are here from all over the world. And people are always talking about how awesome this country is, or skiers from that country are. But then you race them you find that they are just like us, just from another place," said Sharp, who finished in a time of 38.56. "It gives me more of a drive, having people here from all over the place."



Five different countries were represented in the top five spots, with Italy's Alberto Blengini finishing second in 38.64 followed by Filip Forejtek, just .03 back in third.

Martin snags silver on home hill
Mikayla Martin finished second in the girls’ K1 kombi race, finishing in 42.80 on her home hill.

"It was fun to race it. I know this hill upside down and backwards," said the 13-year-old Whistler Mountain Ski Club skier.

The "kombi" is an introductory ski race that combines elements of giant slalom and slalom in one race.

"There were parts that were easy and parts were hard but it was a lot of fun," said Martin.

Elisa Fornari, a 12-year-old from Italy who has yet to lose a race this season, won in a time of 42.37, with Japan's Mio Arai finishing third.

Toronto’s Kuus podiums in boys’ super-G
Slovenian Miha Hrobat won the boys’ K2 super-G in an impressive time of 1:06.94, with Italy's Andrea Squassino in second.



Karl Kuus of Devil's Glen made it four Canadians on the podium in four races, finishing third in 1:08.04.



Kuus, who finished on the podium in all three races at the recently completed President's Choice Canadian K2 Championships in Collingwood, Ont., said he was excited about coming to Whistler.

"I got a couple of good results (in Collingwood) and for sure it really pumped me up for coming here," said Kuus.

The 2010 Whistler Cup continues Saturday with a girls’ giant slalom and slalom for the boys.  SRC