SKI CROSS:

Tafel registers 2 more podiums at Red Mountain Nor-Am ski cross races

March 13, 2011 — Canada Ski Cross

RED MOUNTAIN, B.C. — Tristan Tafel wrapped up his stellar Nor-Am ski cross season in style by recording first- and third-place finishes on successive days at Red Mountain, B.C.

The 21-year-old, of Canmore, Alta., who locked up the overall Nor-Am title last week to earn himself a spot on the World Cup circuit next season, took Friday’s race at the Sport Chek Nor-Am at Red Mountain before finishing third in Saturday’s final.

Tafel, who was a member of the Raymond James Alberta Ski Team before joining Alberta Ski Cross, will now head to the Sport Chek Canadian Ski Cross Championships at Lake Louise, from April 1-3, before turning his attention to the prospect of racing World Cups.

“It’s starting to sink in now. I’m pretty excited about it,” said Tafel. “Having dreamed about racing World Cup since I was a little kid, I’m pretty amped about trying to make a career out of skiing.

“I’ll also be at Canadians and will be looking to represent the Bow Valley Alley!”

Saturday’s final saw a familiar face battling for the top spot on the podium. Ski cross veteran Stan Hayer, who coaches the Alberta Ski Cross Team, went in search of points for next season and wound up teaching his young charges a lesson or two for the second weekend in a row.

Hayer finished first and Thomas Domenach of France — who has been training with the Alberta team — was second. Tafel was third and Ethan Fortney of the USA was fourth.

“I had to pass Thomas and he was mad,” said Hayer, who also won last Saturday’s race at Big White, B.C. “He thought he could cut me off but I went past him.

“These guys are close. They have been having good races but the intensity is not quite as high at this level. In Europe they are very, very aggressive all the way through the field. Even the first heat is do or die. If Tristan gets in with the World Cup team he will learn that intensity.”

Tafel joked that he paved the way for his coach to win Saturday’s final.

“He needed two races this year and I figured that instead of his points going down I would do some defence for him and let him take the win,” said Tafel, who had his hands full fending off Fortney to stay third. “I was just trying to secure the Alberta sweep.”

Rob Lepine, of Whistler, B.C., finished fifth Friday and Saturday. The 19-year-old showed his promise by winning both races at Alpine Meadows, USA, last month and will continue to hone his skills on the Nor-Am circuit next season.

“I’m usually consistently up there but not always completely satisfied with my results,” said the B.C. Ski Cross Team member. “I’m going to train over the summer and through the fall season and come back firing next season.”

On the women’s side, Catriona Blair returned to Canada after getting a taste of World Cup racing in Switzerland last week to win the finals Friday and Saturday. The B.C. Ski Cross Team member also took the overall women's title.

“She won both races but she needs a year training with faster girls, maybe back and forth in the Europa Cup,” said Hayer.