SKI CROSS:

Starts loom crucial for national ski cross championships

April 1, 2011 — Canada Ski Cross

LAKE LOUISE, Alberta — Canada’s ski cross stars enjoyed a relaxed day of training in Lake Louise, Alta., Friday ahead of the Sport Chek Canadian Championships.

But don’t expect the chilled, end-of-season atmosphere to carry over into Saturday’s races.

“It’s pretty relaxed right now but once you enter the start gate and the starter starts counting you down, it rachets right up,” said Dave Duncan, a member of Canada’s team and the national men’s champion in 2009.

“Winning nationals is a pretty cool experience. It’s definitely something that you look forward to trying to win.”

Duncan, of Golden, B.C., said starts could be crucial in Saturday’s heats.

“The course is pretty tight and it’s not going to allow for that many passing opportunities,” he said.

Head coach Eric Archer said the upper part of the track will be modified before Saturday’s qualification round gets under way.

“The top section, turning into the first bank, needs to be adjusted,” said Archer.

On the women’s side, Marielle Thompson of Whistler, B.C., is hoping to get her hands on her first Canadian championship.

“It would be pretty cool. I was second last year — it would be exciting to have that title,” said Thompson, who recently returned to competitive racing after having surgery on her left thumb. “Those turns are super tight. You have to really crank it to get around.”

Thompson will be up against world champion Kelsey Serwa of Kelowna, B.C., in the women’s race, plus a host of talented young skiers.

The competition on the men’s side is extremely fierce, with Duncan going up against world champion Chris Del Bosco of Sudbury, Ont., Brian Bennett of Golden, B.C., and Davey Barr of Whistler, B.C. Nor-Am champion Tristan Tafel of Canmore, Alta., is one of several younger skiers who could mount a serious challenge for the national title.

One skier making a welcome return to the slopes Friday was national team ace Brady Leman of Calgary, Alta. Leman has been out since the beginning of the season after breaking his leg in a crash at a Europa Cup race.

“It’s good. Surprisingly good,” said Leman, after completing a gentle run of the track at Lake Louise. “It’s fun to be out again. I have to remind myself it’s the first day back.”

Leman won’t race during Saturday’s qualification round, which starts at noon. He’ll also be a spectator for the finals, which are due to get under way at 1:30 p.m.

“It’s been tough to watch the guys. It’s been a long winter,” said Leman. “Some of them did really well, some struggled. It’s tough when you are not on the road with them. You’ve got to deal with it; do what you can to stay sane.”

SCHEDULE

SPORT CHEK CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS & CANADIAN OPEN, LAKE LOUISE

Saturday, April 2
Qualification: 12 p.m.
Canadian Championship finals: 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 3
Qualification: 12 p.m.
Canadian Open finals: 1:30 p.m.