ALPINE:

Canada adds 2 podiums, secures 2010 Whistler Cup

April 11, 2010 — Alpine Canada     ►Photo: Whistler Cup action (Alpine Canada)

Join the SRC fun on Facebook

WHISTLER, B.C. — Two podium results on the final day of the 2010 Whistler Cup race for elite young ski racers boosted Canada to a Nations Cup victory, holding on to a title won by the host nation last season. Canadians have won the event three of the last four seasons after never having won the competition, celebrating its 18th anniversary in 2010, prior to capturing the title in 2007.

The Whistler Cup, for 11- to 14-year-old (K1 and K2) ski racers from around the world, ended Sunday with Canada earning a total of 246.5 points, followed by Italy in second with 186.5 points with Japan third with 177.

Poglitsch wins K2 slalom
It was a dramatic win for Austria's Anna Poglitsch in the girls’ K2 slalom race. Poglitsch's consistent effort netted a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 28.28 seconds. She then watched as the first-run leader, talented American skier Mikaela Shiffrin, went out of the course near the finish line.

Fellow Austrian Julia Grosshaupt was second, more than three seconds back of the winner.

Adrienne Poitras of Mont-Tremblant Ski Club finished third in 1:33.20 in her first, and last, Whistler Cup experience.

"I was really hoping for a podium today. I didn't really think it was going to be possible because I almost straddled a gate in my first run, but the ski went on the right side. I did lose my balance and was really slow going into the next gate," said the 15-year-old Poitras. "So I new I had to have a great second run and I kind of got lucky and got up to third."

Slovenia’s Hrobat wins in Whistler debut
Fifteen-year-old Miha Hrobat of Slovenia was competing in Canada for the first time at the 2010 Whistler Cup event. Hrobat left with an impressive win, finishing in a two-run time of 1:41.80. He was followed by Iceland's Jakob Helgi Bjarnason in second with Karl Kuus of Devil's Glen picking up his second podium in three days, finishing third in 1:43.31.

"The second run was nice and straight and open. It was in great condition, just a great course to ski," said Kuus, who thanked his parents and his sponsors for their support of his ski racing.

Japan rules K1 girls’ GS
Japanese ski racers took the top two spots in the girls’ K1 giant slalom. Mio Arai added a win to the two other podium results at the 2010 Whistler Cup, finishing in a two-run time of 1:13.50.

Teammate Narumi Katagiri ended up in second place in 1:14.86, with Kristyna Pilna grabbing the final spot on the podium.

Twelve-year-old Stephanie Currie of Osler Bluff Ski Club finished in 1:16.45, just off the podium in fourth. Currie was not pleased with her first run, which had her sitting 11th.

"I just put that frustration into my second run and I came out with a great time," said Currie, who has enjoyed her first Whistler Cup experience competing against young skiers from around the world.

"This really was the ultimate ski race because you get to race against the other countries and meet other kids and see how good they were," Currie added.

Czech skier Forejtek wins one-run GS
Filip Forejtek won the K1 boys’ one-run giant slalom in a time of 56.95. He was followed by Italy's Alberta Blengini, who was .09 back, with Matej Prielozny of Slovakia in third.

Keegan Sharp from Team Panorama was the top Canadian in seventh.

Sharp, Kuss, Martin, King earn honors
The Dave Murray Award acknowledging top performance from Canadian male skiers at Whistler Cup went to Sharp (K1) and Kuus (K2). The Nancy Greene Award acknowledging the top results of Canada's female skiers went to Mikayla Martin (K1) and Emma King (K2).

ACA National Development Director Benoit Lalande congratulated the race organizers on the 2010 event and thanked all the volunteers and staff for their effort in putting together successful races.  SRC