ALPINE:

Mielzynski snags 3rd in Europa Cup slalom at Zakopane

March 1, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

ZAKOPANE, Poland — Erin Mielzynski skied her way onto the podium in Zakopane, Poland, finishing third in Tuesday's Europa Cup slalom.

Collingwood, Ont., based Mielzynski crossed the finish line with a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 50.28 seconds, to record her best career result in a Europa Cup.

The 21-year-old's best result in a FIS World Cup was a 13th place in the slalom event in Arber-Zwiesel, Germany, a couple of weeks ago.

"Erin skied really well today," said World Cup coach Tim Gfellar. "She was a little conservative during her first run but she still managed to ski a solid race. She was second after the first run but made a couple of mistakes in her second run, which bumped her down to third place."

France's Nastasia Noens finished on top of the podium with a time of 1:49.40. Second place was secured by Carmen Thalmann from Austria, as she crossed the finish line with a time of 1:50.26.

The last time the women raced a slalom FIS World Cup event was at the beginning of February. The next race isn't until March 12, when the women compete in Spindleruv Mlyn, in the Czech Republic.

"It's good for the girls to be able to race Europa Cup during this big World Cup break, especially since it's such a high-level field here," added Gfellar. To be on the podium today is definitely a good boost for Erin and will help her confidence for her next World Cup event.

"We have another Europa Cup Wednesday and hopefully we can win."

The second-fastest Canadian was Mont-Tremblant, Que., based Brittany Phelan, who finished with a time of 1:51.90. Prospect athlete Madison Irwin of Toronto, Ont., finished in 23rd (1:52.62) followed closely by Elli Terwiel from Sun Peaks, B.C., in 25th place (1:52.77).

Canadian Alpine Ski Team member Eve Routhier, based out of Sherbrooke, Que., finished in 27th place with a two-run combined time of 1:54.08.

The women will compete in another Europa Cup slalom event Wednesday in Jazna, Slovakia.