ALPINE:

Mielzynski shows potential with fastest 2nd run on the world stage

Feb. 19, 2011 — Alpine Canada 

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN. Germany — Canada's women’s' team brought its 2011 Alpine World Ski Championships to a close Saturday.

Erin Mielzynski from Collingwood, Ont., competing in her first World Championships, finished 16th in the slalom, while veteran Anna Goodman from Pointe-Claire, Que., finished in 21st place.

The 20-year-old Mielzynski was 29th after the first run but laid down the fastest second run of the day, beating her nearest challenger by more than 0.8 seconds. Her two-run combined time was 1 minute, 49.43 seconds.

"I'm a little bit disappointed with my first run but my second run was amazing," said Mielzynski, whose best World Cup result was a 13th-place finish in slalom in Arber-Zwiesel, Germany, two weeks ago. "I wish I could have had a better result but it's my second-best result at this level. It's definitely a stepping stone to where I want to be in the future.

"The difference between the two runs was that during my first run I was a little bit distracted and I didn't take the risks that I could have done. In the second run I just went for it and took the risks. I had nothing to lose. It's definitely a confidence boost for me and hopefully I can duplicate it. Every day is just a learning curve and I'm getting closer to where I want to be."

"I've said this before — we need our girls to put two good runs together," said technical head coach Jim Pollock. "We have the speed and we have the talent but for some reason we are struggling with our first run.

"In the second run, the pressure was off and the girls skied more freely. They did what they do during training and the results were there. They need to start believing that they can win at that level, it's a process that we are working at."

Goodman, who was the only other Canadian to finish in the top 30, with a 21st-place result, had a two-run combined time of 1:49.95. Her best result at a World Championship is a 12th place in Val d'Isère, France, two years ago.

"I'm not really happy with my first run but luckily I finished in the top 30 and was able to redeem myself with the second run," she said.

"I'm nursing a bit of a hip problem and I think the confidence is lacking a little bit. The difference for the second run was that I just focused on being as fast as I could."

Lac-Etchemin's Marie-Michèle Gagnon was one of the 36 skiers who did not finish the first run. Eve Routhier from Sherbrooke, Que., did not qualify for the second run as she finished 35th.

The last FIS World Championship event will take place Sunday when the men compete in the slalom.

Whistler's Mike Janyk will try to add to his 2009 bronze medal. Tune in on CBCSports.ca and BOLD TV at 3:55 a.m. ET for the first run.

CBC's main network will broadcast the FIS World Championships today starting at noon ET and again at 3 p.m. ET.