ALPINE:

K2 championships: Osler Bluffs’ Currie sizzles to GS win

March 23, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

COLLINGWOOD, Ontario — Ontario skier Lizzie Currie of Osler Bluff Ski Club finally made it to the top of the podium in Wednesday's giant slalom at the President's Choice K2 Canadian Championships.

Currie, who was second after the first run, clocked the fasted two-run combined time of 1 minute, 25.76 seconds.

"My run went pretty well. I made a couple of mistakes though," said Currie. "It's definitely an advantage to have the K2 Championships in my own backyard. I've skied this mountain before and I know what to expect."

Currie has already been on the podium twice, finishing second in Monday's super-combined event and third in Tuesday's super-G race.

"I was really happy with my two runs today, but it wasn't easy, the courses were pretty bumpy."

Second place went to Mia Henry of Fernie, B.C., who clocked a combined two-run time of 1:26.08.

"I'm so excited. I can't believe it," said Henry who was on the podium for the first time this week. "My goal was to be on the podium, especially today since giant slalom is my strongest event.

"I went all out in the first run and I only needed to have a clean second run. My skiing today felt really good."

The podium was rounded out by Mont-Tremblant’s Valérie Grenier. She crossed the finish line with a two-run combined time of 1:26.18.

This is Grenier's second time on the podium, finishing third in Monday's super-combined event. Grenier finished with a time of 1:26.18.

"I wasn't really happy about my first run, but I gave everything I had in the second run and I ended up on the podium," said Grenier.

"I'm pretty happy about my race today. The first run was harder but the second run was good and it was my best run. I've finished twice on the podium and that is good enough for me."
 
Wednesday's race took place at the Georgian Peaks ski hill in the town of Thornbury, Ont., situated directly on Georgian Bay.

The conditions were pretty difficult for the athletes and volunteers as winter was back with cold temperatures and light snow falling.

The men will be racing the giant slalom on Thursday.