ALPINE:

Crawford, Canadian women find speed at Sugarloaf

March 9, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

SUGARLOAF, Maine — Team Canada had a successful day in Sugarloaf, USA, Tuesday as five women finished in the top 10 in the giant slalom race.

The fastest was Ontario provincial team athlete Candace Crowford of Collingwood, who crossed the finish line with a time of 2 minutes, 10.10 seconds.

Crawford was second after a fast first run but had to battle through harsh snow conditions in the second run.

"I had a really good race and I'm pretty happy," said the 17-year-old athlete. "My first run was good and fast but I made a couple of mistakes in the second run. The snow was pretty soft and it was pretty challenging starting second to last in the second run.

"It's a good challenge to come here and compete in the USA. It's actually the second time I have raced here this year. It's good to race against a new crowd and see some new faces."

The race was won by the USA's Katharine Irwin in 2:09.28. In second place was Libby Gibson, also from USA, in 2:10.01.

Caroline Bartlett, of London Ont., who races with the National Ski Academy was 16th after the first run but clocked the fourth-fastest time in the second run and finished seventh overall with a combined time of 2:12.61.

Canada's Devon Clarke finished sixth with a time of 2:12.55. Mary Beth Hemphill from Uxbridge, Ont., finished eighth (2:12.63), while teammate Sandrine David, from Mont Sain-Sauveur, Que., finished in 10th place with a time of 2:12.88.

"Candace had a decent performance today, and she did what she needed to do to be on the podium," said Ontario Team women’s head coach Jeff Lackie.

"The second run was very challenging and the snow was really soft. A lot of the top girls were not able to finish so it's good that she was able to make it on the podium.

"As a team, I think it's great that we were able to put five girls in the top 10," added Lackie. "It's also pretty awesome that Caroline made the flip and then was able to get the fourth fastest time in the second run."

The women will be racing a super-G race Wednesday.