ALPINE:

Calve nabs Nor-Am PGS win at Copper Mountain

Nov. 19, 2010 — Canada Snowboard 

Caroline Calvé of Montréal won the opening race of the 2011 FIS Nor-Am Tour at Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Thursday, beating many World Cup winners and snowboard veterans.

Calvé beat Germany’s Selena Joerg in the gold-medal duel of the first parallel giant slalom race of the 2011 season on the FIS Nor-Am tour. In total, 35 competitors took the start in the women’s race, coming from Japan, Australia, Germany, USA and Canada.

“I am very happy to have won today’s race. I defeated many girls who won races on the World Cup tour. The elimination rounds certainly were not easy, even if it is a Nor-Am cup race,” said Calvé.

Calvé gives credit to her mental preparation. Throughout the summer, she worked extensively with a sport psychologist to strengthen her race preparation and visualization. “The biggest difference in today’s race was my head. I reminded myself that the results were not important. What was important were my turns, and to ride to the level I know I can. I kept things really simple.

She also mentioned the impact and legacy of Olympic champion Jasey-Jay Anderson. “ I don’t know if there is clear link, but I did watch the video from Jasey-Jay during last year’s Copper race prior to today’s race. It really helped me, and I was able to stay on top of my board. Jasey was the guy who inspired me most.”

The riders were faced with a challenging race course, as more than two feet of snow recently fell at Copper Mountain. The athletes are used to riding on a hard, packed surface, and the soft conditions led to some uneven surfaces, especially around the turning gates.

Toronto’s Michael Lambert did not take part in the race. Lambert suffered from a dislocated shoulder earlier this week while training for this event. Lambert has met with medical authorities and is  following a rehabilitation plan to return to snow as quickly as possible.

Matthew Morison of Burketon, Ontario, was also not entered in the race. Morison is finishing up his helicopter pilot licence and should join the team in time for the first PGS of the 2011 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup season at Limone Piemonte, Italy.

Canadian alpine snowboarders will be back on the race track Friday for the parallel slalom event prior to making their way to Europe for the continuation of the LG Snowboard World Cup season.  S-Magazine