ALPINE:

Cook aims to defend Nor-Am title at Whistler next week

March 11, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

Canadian Alpine Ski Team member Dustin Cook will try to defend his overall title at the Northwest Funds Nor-Am Cup Finals and GMC Nations Cup at Whistler, B.C., next week.

Cook, of Lac Sainte-Marie, Que., is third in the overall Nor-Am standings with 587 points, 191 behind leader Thomas Biesemeyer of the USA.

"Obviously I'm not satisfied with being third in the overall rankings right now," said Cook, 22, who has been on the national team since 2007. "I'm just going to try to win every race and hopefully the outcome will be positive. I'm looking forward to the super-G and giant slalom races — those are my bread and butter events."

There's a lot at stake for Cook and the other athletes competing at the Nor-Am Finals and the GMC Nations Cup, which take place in Whistler from March 15-20.

A Nor-Am champion will be crowned in super-G, super-combined, giant slalom and slalom after this race series, which marks the end of the Nor-Am season. The top two athletes in each discipline — the skiers who accumulate the most points throughout the season — earn World Cup spots for the 2011-12 season. And the two athletes with the most points overall across all disciplines  win World Cup spots in every discipline.

Canadians have traditionally had a lot of success in the Nor-Am Cup. Kelby Halbert, from Bradford, Ont., finished second overall in the Nor-Am downhill standings this season with 247 points. The overall downhill title went to Wiley Maple of the USA. Both athletes earned World Cup sports with their respective national teams.

The Whistler, B.C., ski area also plays host to the GMC Nations Cup at 4 p.m. on March 19. This friendly but intense competition features skiers from Canada and the U.S. going head-to-head to win bragging rights as well as the Nations Cup trophy.

Peter Cornu, General Motors of Canada's manager of sponsorships, said, "General Motors is excited to be a part of this signature event showcasing the best ski racers in Canada. We have supported Canadian ski racing for many years and are pleased to be able to host the GMC Nations Cup in Whistler. We are especially excited to see some great results from the GMC Cup ski series alumni."

Another fun event that will be taking place is the Canadian Alpine Ski Team Tryout"on March 19. Skiers can compete head-to-head in a dual slalom, and the tryouts are open to all skiers of all levels, from 11-year-olds up. The fastest three men and women will win a prize.

Canadian Alpine Ski Team Tryout
When: Saturday, March 19
Where: Skier's Plaza
Registration: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tryouts: 1-3 p.m.
Prizes: 3:30 p.m.

MEMBERS OF THE CANADIAN ALPINE SKI TEAM - NORTHWEST FUNDS NOR-AM FINALS

Men
Dustin Cook - Lac Sainte Marie, Que.
Kelby Halbert - Bradford, Ont.
Jan Hudec - Calgary, Alta.
Tyler Nella - Toronto, Ont.
Brad Spence - Calgary, Alta.
Benjamin Thompson - Invermere, B.C.
Trevor White - Calgary, Alta.

Women
Erin Mielzynski - Collingwood, Ont.
Brittany Phelan - Mont-Tremblant, Que.
Eve Routhier - Sherbrooke, Que.

NOR-AM FINALS SCHEDULE