ALPINE:

Nakiska set to host GMC Canadian Championships

March 22, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

World downhill champion Erik Guay will try to defend his Canadian super-G title when the nation's top skiers and prospects gather at Nakiska, Alta., later this week.

Guay, of Mont Tremblant, Que., headlines a list of national team skiers who will go head to head in five disciplines against the best young talent from coast to coast at the GMC Canadian Championships, from March 24-31.

The Calgary resident, who recently passed Crazy Canuck Ken Read's mark of 14 World Cup podiums with No. 15 in Kvitfjell, Norway, has won seven national championships in downhill, super-G and giant slalom since 2002.

"It's an opportunity to help the younger guys out," said Guay. "It's also a chance to have some fun."

Veteran Jan Hudec is one of several Calgary-based men's team skiers who will be competing close to home. Fellow Calgarians Trevor White and Brad Spence, who won the national giant slalom title last year, are part of a deep and experienced technical team that includes Whistler's Michael Janyk, the defending slalom champion, and Julien Cousineau.

Calgary's Erik Read, son of Ken, and Phil Brown are among several Prospect Group skiers who will be aiming to show they can compete with the World Cup veterans.

"I think there's a certain amount of prestige that comes from being Canadian champion," said Paul Kristofic, head coach of the men's team. "We're looking to come in there with the same kind of focus we have in the World Cup and do a good job of inspection, preparation and execution.

"For the World Cup guys, it's more enjoyable than anything else. And it's an opportunity for the younger guys to score points and go head to head against the top guys."

On the women’s' side, Whistler's Britt Janyk, who has won 13 Canadian titles, is the defending champion in the downhill and giant slalom. Talented young skiers including Victoria Stevens, who won her first Nor-Am Cup race in February, are hoping to give the veterans a run for their money.

"We have supported amateur athletes in fulfilling their dreams for many years and are pleased to present the GMC Canadian Championships in Nakiska," said Peter Cornu, sponsorship manager for General Motors of Canada. "We are especially thankful to the local Race Organizing Committee and Alpine Canada Alpin for their support in executing this event."

World Cup skiers Marie-Pier Préfontaine and Marie-Michèle Gagnon, holder of the slalom and super-combined titles, lead a young and talented group of female technical skiers.

"I'm really looking forward to the tech events," said Hugues Ansermoz, head coach of the women’s team. "There will be a lot of competition to win the titles in slalom and giant slalom.

"The GMC Canadian Championships are very important, particularly for the younger athletes. It's very difficult for them to compare themselves to the skiers who are competing in World Cups when they are skiing for most of the season at Nor-Ams in North America."

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