Quebec’s David Makes it Two in a Row and Presseault Wins First Gold at Canada Games

WENTWORTH, N.S. (February 25, 2011) – Quebec dominates on the last day of competition for alpine athletes as Sandrine David and Gabriel Presseault both skied their way to the top of the podium.

On the women’s side, Quebec’s David won her second Canada Games gold in two days. Her strong performances in both slalom runs got her to the top step of the podium. Teammate Kelly Moore also repeated yesterday’s performance by capturing the slalom silver medal in the ladies category. Third place went to Candice Crawford from Ontario. This is Crawford’s first Canada Games medal. She was the fastest skier down the second run with a time of 47.31 seconds.  

In the men’s race, Quebec’s Gabriel Presseault won his first Canada Games title by dominating Friday’s slalom race and won both runs. Ontario’s Kyle Farrow won his second medal of the week by skiing strong and capturing silver. Patrick McConville also from Ontario, enjoyed his day by winning bronze in the slalom event.  

When asked if they could express their Canada Games experiences in one word, both David and Presseault said that it was amazing.

With 15mm of rain and snow predicted for the area this afternoon, volunteers and organizers worked hard to complete Friday’s events early.

Athletes will now head back to Halifax where they will enjoy some festivities and take part in the closing ceremonies. 

“This event was a great learning experience for everyone, the local club and organization will take their learning into other events and the Canada Games Legacy will be a success,” said Alpine Canada Alpin’s Director of National Programs and Race events, Philippe Bernier.

Ladies results:

1-Sandrine David, Que., 1:34.99

2-Kelly Moore, Que., 1:35.52

3-Candice Crawford, Ont., 1:36.06

COMPLETE RESULTS

Men’s results:

1-Gabriel Presseault, Que., 1:48.70

2-Kyle Farrow, Ont., 1:49.17

3-Patrick McConville, Ont., 1:49.30

COMPLETE RESULTS

LIVE TIMING: Live timing and results of the Canada Winter Games can be found at www.canskilive.com

Quebec’s David and BC’s Thompson are Named Canada Games Super Combined Champions in Alpine

WENTWORTH, N.S. (February 24, 2011) – With the sun shining at the beautiful Wentworth ski resort in N.S., Broderick Thompsen from B.C. and Sandrine David from Que., captured the gold medal during the second day of competition for alpine’s able bodied athletes.

On the women’s side, the slalom portion of the super combined benefited the top three girls. As she was sitting in sixth place after the super-G run this morning, Quebecer Sandrine David crushed it in the slalom race in order to capture gold. Ontario based Meg Currie and Kelly Moore from Quebec also had solid runs in slalom. Sitting in fifth and seventh place after the super-G both girls skied their way to a tie for second place with and combined time of one minute 46.93 seconds.

“We both knew we had a chance to get on the podium with the Slalom portion of the Super Combined. We pushed each other and our team spirit and work helped us win,” added both athletes from Quebec David and Moore.

In the men’s race B.C.’s Broderick Thompson had a stellar day. Thompson, who was second after the super-G, stuck to his game plan in slalom to win the run and become Canada Games’ Champion in SC. Like on the women’s side, Gabriel Presseault and Tomas Syrovatka from Quebec skied a solid slalom race to capture silver and bronze.

“I was upset with my Super G run, I made a mistake that cost me so I knew I had to go for it in Slalom. I’m excited to be a Canada Games champion it means a lot to me,” added the soft spoken Thompson.

Athletes from Quebec were recognized for their hard work as they stepped on the podium four times in Thursday’s super combined event. 

 “If it wasn’t for the hard work of the volunteers these events wouldn’t be possible, hats off to them and one more to go,” said Chris Robinson, Chief of Race.

Tomorrow will be the end of competition for Alpine ski racing with the men’s and ladies slalom races taking place.

Ladies results:

1-Sandrine David, Que. 1:46.03

2-Meg Currie, Ont. 1:46.93

2-Kelly Moore, Que. 1:46.93

COMPLETE RESULTS

Men’s results:

1-Broderick Thompson, BC 1:39.11

2-Gabriel Presseault, QC 1:39.81

3-Tomas Syrovatka, QC 1:39.91

COMPLETE RESULTS

LIVE TIMING: Live timing and results of the Canada winter games can be found at www.canskilive.com

Team Ontario Wins Double Gold in Alpine Giant Slalom

From left, silver medalist Anthony Naciuk (Alberta), gold medalist Kyle Farrow (Ontario) and bronze medalist Francis Toutant (Quebec) pose with their Men's Giant Slalom medals at the 2011 Canada Games

Wentworth, NS (February 23, 2011) –

Overcast skies and cold temperatures made for challenging conditions on day three at Ski Wentworth, but thanks to the hard work of the course crew it was a great first day of alpine ski racing for able bodied athletes at the 2011 Canada Winter Games. Team Ontario athletes Mary Beth Hemphill and Kyle Farrow captured their first major event titles.  

On the women’s side it was a tight race with the top three women juggling positions between the first and second runs. Teammates Mary Beth Hemphill and Devon Clarke, who finished second were only 0.24 seconds off each other’s combined times.  Team BC athlete Kailee Darlington had the lead after the first run despite not having skied as aggressive as she would have liked, and ended the day in third.

Hemphill, who was third after the first run knew she needed to take some chances run two. “I knew I had to charge in the second run if I wanted to win. I fought for my tuck where I needed to and had a great run. I’m super excited to be named as Canada Games champion in Giant Slalom”

All three girls commented that the Games thus far had been a lot fun. They also expressed that they had especially enjoyed Great Big Sea on Saturday night in Halifax.

Women’s results:

1-Mary Beth Hemphill, ON 2:04.32

2-Devon Clarke, ON 2:04.56

3-Kailee Darlington, BC 2:05.05

In the men’s race Ontario’s Kyle Farrow went for it in the second run, charging the whole way down to become the Canada Games giant slalom male champion by a mere .07 of second over Anthony Naciuk. Alberta’s Naciuk had the lead after the first run, but having made a few minor mistakes in the second run he ended up in second place. Quebec’s Francis Toutant started the second run in fifth and after a solid second run Toutant earned himself the rights to step onto that third place podium and become a Canada Games medalist.

“I’m really happy with my preparation and race today” said Farrow. “This morning when I woke up I few I had to keep things simple, charge and stay low in my tuck. I would also like to thank the volunteers for putting on a great race today”

Men’s results:

1-Kyle Farrow, ON 2:00.76

2-Anthony Naciuk, AB 2:00.83

3-Fancis Toutant, QC 2:01.80

Slalom being their favorite event both Farrow and Toutant are looking forward to Friday’s Slalom events. Tomorrows Super Combined will take place as schedule starting 10:00am AST

Philippe BernierDirector, National Programs and Race EventsAlpine Canada Alpin403-512-8074; pbernier@canski.org

LIVE TIMING: Live timing and results of the Canada winter games can be found at www.canskilive.com

Repeat Gold for Starker, Whitney steps atop the podium

Under overcast skies and gusty winds, Team Alberta and Team Ontario each took home a gold medal after the Para Alpine Slalom Race at Ski Wentworth today.  This was the second and final race for the para alpine skiers at the 2011 Canada Winter Games. 

 For the second consecutive day, Alexandra Starker from Team Alberta was the fastest female skier down the hill with a time of 1:52:64.  After posting the fastest first run time on the course, beating all of the men, Starker went on to also have the fastest female time second run, only being beat by the top two men. 

 “I had a pretty good race, although I made a big mistake at the bottom of the pitch of the second run.  I beat almost all the boys today, so I was happy with how I skied”, said Starker.   When asked about the hill and the conditions, Starker responded with a smile, “the slalom hill really challenged everyone with the steep and icy top – it wasn’t easy!”  Slalom is Starker’s strongest event, so she was happy to have taken home the gold again today. 

 The silver medal was won by Vanessa Knight from Team Quebec in a time of 2:05:64, and the bronze medal being captured by Alana Ramsay from Alberta in a time of 2:19:26, who is taking home her second medal of the Games. 

The men’s race was won by Team Ontario member Michael Whitney, who won both runs with a combined time of 1:50.44.  In second place was BC Team athlete Braydon Luscombe who finished in a time of 1:55:31 and in third place was James Binsfeld, from Team Ontario who finished in a time of 2:01.01.

After Whitney’s silver medal performance in the Giant Slalom race yesterday, he set out looking for gold today.  “I was happy with my result today.  I had some good skiing and some areas I know I can still really improve on.  Overall I exceeded my expectations in the races here, but it gives me confidence I need for my next set of races”.  Whitney, along with BC teammate Braydon Luscombe is heading to Austria on Sunday as a part of the Canadian Para Alpine Ski Team Prospect Program to compete in the Austrian Championships.  “It’s going to be my first time racing in Europe, so I can’t help but to be excited” said Whitney, “I know there will be strong competition and I am looking forward to seeing where I stack up against them all”.

 All the para alpine athletes are now heading to Halifax to move into the Athletes Village until the end of the week.  Some will come back to cheer on their able-body team mates in the coming three days, others will go check out some of the other sports and in Halifax.  “I am definitely coming back tomorrow to cheer on the rest of my team and my friends in the GS race” said Starker, who attends the National Sports School in Calgary, Alberta.   “Our school is well represented here, and two of my teammates from my home club at Panorama Mountain are on Team Alberta and one on Team Saskatchewan, so I want to come and watch them”.

 The National Sports School in Calgary, Alberta has 23 athletes competing at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in seven different sports.  For more information on the school, please visit www.nationalsportschool.ca.

Alberta and Ontario win Gold in Para Alpine GS

For the first time since 1995, Para Alpine athletes are back competing at the Canada Winter Games.  James Binsfeld, from Team Ontario and Alexandra Starker, from Team Alberta were the crowned gold medalists today at the Para Alpine GS race at Ski Wentworth.

Team Ontario had a strong showing on the podium, taking three of top six spots awarded to the overall men and women’s winners.  Medals and flag points are awarded based on an overall ranking within the men’s and women’s categories, regardless of sitting or standing classification. 

Starker, who is competing in her first Canada Winter Games, won the women’s race in a combined 2-run time of 2:20:43.  The silver medal was awarded to Alana Ramsay of Team Alberta in a time of 2:23:32 and bronze to Sandra Robinson of Team Ontario in a time of 2:30:08.  All three women compete as standing skiers, but with different factors.

“I’m very happy with my race today.  I haven’t been able to train much GS lately, as I am still dealing with lingering issues from a broken leg two years ago, but I took a few chances and it panned out”, said Starker following the race.

On the men’s side, Binsfeld won the men’s race in a combined time of 2:06:29, beating out his nearest competitor Michael Whitney from Team Ontario by over three seconds, who completed the race in a time of 2:10:77.  The podium was rounded out by Team BC athlete Caleb Brousseau, who finished the race with a total time of 2:13:02.  Binsfeld and Whitney are both standing skiers, Brousseau is a sit skier. 

Like many athletes, Binsfeld was cheered on by not only teammates, but family members as well. “The best part of my day is that my dad was here to see me ski.  He isn’t able to make it out to many events, but he and my younger brother drove all the way out here from Ontario to watch me race”.  It’s a Binsfeld family reunion here, his mother is a Team Ontario para alpine coach and his older brother who lives in Halifax has come to watch. 

It was noted by many athletes that it was a welcome change to have their able body counter parts cheering them on at the finish line.  “It was cool to see all the teams together at the finish line, the camaraderie between the para and able bodied skiers is not something we are used to” said Starker.

The alpine events continue all week at Ski Wentworth, with the para SL taking place tomorrow.