Ontario's Devon Clarke, Candace Crawford, and Mary Beth Hemphill.
Photo by Robert Kwong (www.robertkwong.com).
VERNON, BC (April 1, 2009) – Mother Nature didn’t let up on this April Fool day as wintery temperatures prevailed and more than fifteen centimetres of snow fell for a second consecutive day at Silver Star Mountain Resort. Team Ontario didn’t let these conditions damper its spirits, achieving a clean podium sweep in the ladies’ giant slalom at the 2009 President’s Choice Canadian K2 Championships.
Candace Crawford from Georgian Peaks, who was sitting in third place following the morning run, put the pedal to the metal in the afternoon to take the giant slalom gold with an aggregate time of 1:43.72.
“I’m really thrilled about my win,” said Crawford. “I’ve had a great winter and this just tops it. I’m very proud of my performance and ecstatic to be on the podium with my teammates,” she concluded.
Crawford snuck by first-run leader and Ontario teammate from Osler Bluff, Mary Beth Hemphill. Hemphill had to settle for silver after a more challenging second run where she clocked the sixth fast time and thereby completed both courses in 1:44.01.
“We have such a good team dynamic on the Ontario team,” specified Hemphill. “We’ve challenged each other all year and it is really paying off. We always work together and this is why we are able to race hard while still keeping a strong friendship.”
Devon Clarke from Craigleith ensured Ontario’s clean podium sweep with a cumulative time of 1:44.78. Still fresh from her win in Tuesday’s super G, Clarke skied to fourth place in the first leg and moved up to the podium following a consistent, eight-place second run.
“I’m happy with my day and I know we can do well again in the slalom,” admitted Clarke. “Our team is really focused on building momentum in preparation for the Whistler Cup,” she concluded.
Canadian K2 Championship Alumnus Reach New Milestones on the International Ski Racing Stage
Did you ever wonder what happens to Canadian K2 Championship participants as their ski careers progress and evolve?
In 2003, Larissa Yurkiw from Owen Sound, ON won the super G title at the Canadian K2 Championships held in Geogian Peaks, ON. Seven years later, as a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, Yurkiw finished 9th in the Tarvisio World Cup Downhill and clinched gold in three Nor-Am races.
Also in 2003, Dustin Cook from Toronto, ON finished 18th in the giant slalom and 27th in the super G at the Canadian K2 Championship. This winter, the Canadian Alpine Development Team member was the top Canuck in the downhill at the FIS World Junior Championships, finishing 9th.
Back at the 2003 Canadian K2 Championships in Georgian Peaks, Québec’s Marie-Michèle Gagnon finished a disappointing 36th in the giant slalom. This season, as a rookie on the World Cup circuit, Gagnon achieved a ninth place result in the Cortina d’Ampezzo, ITA giant slalom and an eight place finish in the Ofterschwang, GER slalom.
“The President’s Choice Canadian K2 Championships are a very important event for the future of ski racing in Canada,” commented Alpine Canada Alpin Director of National Development, Benoit Lalande. “Such events ensure the ongoing development of up-and-coming junior and national alpine ski team athletes,” he added.
Tomorrow’s Racing Action
Racing at Silver Star Mountain Resort continues on Thursday with the men’s giant slalom. The first racer will leave the starting gate at 10:00 a.m.
Live, online timing is available for the duration of the Championships at:
http://canski.live-timing.com/races.php?pc=1
Did you know...
The 2008 President’s Choice Canadian K2 Championships were awarded the prestigious “Event of the Year” prize last Fall.
President’s Choice Canadian K2 Championships
Schedule of Race Events
(*subject to change depending on the weather)
Race Hill: Gypsy Queen, Putnam Creek - Silver Star Mountain Resort, B.C.
Audience access: Take Comet 6 Pack chair to top of mountain; Bergerstrasse to Putnam Creek; Aunt Gladys to Gypsy Queen to start area; Skiers right of Gypsy Queen to Quicksilver; Cut off to High Lead to continue skiers right on Gypsy Queen to Finish area.
NOTE: Skis are required for all media and spectators to get to the finish area
Thursday, April 2 – Races scheduled start time 10:00 a.m.
• Giant Slalom – Men
• President’s Choice Awards (following end of race ~ 3:30 p.m. in Silver Star Village)
• 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Parent and Volunteer Reception sponsored by President's Choice at The Den in the Silver Star Village.
• 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Athlete Banquet sponsored by President's Choice at The Saloon in the Silver Star Village.
Friday, April 3 – Races scheduled start time 10:00 a.m.
• Slalom - Ladies & Men
• President’s Choice Awards Ceremonies (following end of race ~ 3:30 p.m. in Silver Star Village)
ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S CHOICE CANADIAN K2 CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2009 President’s Choice K2 Canadian Championships are hosted by the Vernon Ski Club at Silver Star Mountain Resort near Vernon, BC from March 30 to April 3, 2009. This event involving 172, 13 and 14 year-old ski racers from across the country features girls’ and boys’ Super G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom, and Slalom titles. For more information about the President’s Choice Canadian K2 Championships please visit the official event website at www.k2championships.com.
EVENT INFORMATION:
Garry van Soest
Race Chairman
Cell:250-307-5177
email: garry@vansoest.ca
Marie-Hélène Thibeault
President’s Choice K2 Championships
Media and Communications
Tel.: (403) 826-4351
mthibeault@activ8communications.com
David Primorac
Senior Director, Public Relations
Loblaws Companies Limited
Tel: 905-459-2500 ext. 3634
david.primorac@loblaw.ca