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Toronto's Laura Rozinowicz wins opening race on GMC Cup alpine ski curcuit

Friday, 08 January 2010 01:06

MONT-STE-ANNE, Que. - Laura Rozinowicz of Toronto survived a ''wild ride'' on her second run to win the gold medal in the women's giant slalom race in the season opening event on the GMC Cup alpine skiing circuit. Rozinowicz, third after the first run, clocked a two-run combined time of two minutes and 14.08 seconds.  Emily Goad of Avra, Ont., was second in 2:15.69 and Rebacca Nadler of Ottawa third in 2:15.94.

''The conditions were tough today and the light was flat on the second run,'' said Rozinowicz, 18.  ''On my first run I did not feel great but I think that nobody had a great run.  On the second run the light was worse and I just stuck with it.  It was a wild ride but I am so happy with the first place result. GS is my best discipline.''

Goad, in her fourth season in the Ontario provincial team, agreed the second run was more difficult.

''The first run was quite good,'' she said.  ''I was able to keep it smooth on the top and then it got rough on the bottom. The second run was very challenging and I am very proud that I made it down to the bottom. The light was flat and the course was tough.''

Nadler was also happy with her result.

''The first run was O.K., no big mistakes but I could have attacked it more,'' she said. ''The second run was just scary as the visibility and conditions were sketchy. I was happy to make it down the run so I was happy with the result.''

In the men's GS, Dan Loman of the U.S., won the gold in 2:09.04 with Thomas Grand of Toronto second in 2:09.68 and Bump Heldman of the U.S., third in 2:09.95.  Kelby Halbert of Bradford, Ont., was fourth and Andrew Solomon of Toronto fifth.

Grand was 1.7 seconds from first place after the first run.

''The second run was the toughest course I have ever skied,'' said Grand, 16.  ''It felt like my ankles were broken at the bottom of the run.  It was scary but really so much fun. This is my best result in a GMC Cup so I am really pleased.''

The series is the brain-child of Olympic champion Nancy Greene Raine, who approached GMC more than four decades ago with the concept of creating a strong domestic ski racing series for up-and-coming Canadian alpine racers.  GMC has a rich history as a benefactor to communities and to amateur support. Thus, the original series was launched, developing some of Canada's best alpine racers including Kathy Kreiner, Gerry Sorensen, Laurie Graham, Karen Percy, and the Crazy Canucks.

Several current members of Canada's Alpine Ski Team are also GMC Cup alumni including past GMC Cup overall winners Michael Janyk (Whistler, BC) (2004), Brigitte Acton (Mont-Tremblant, QC) (2002, 2003), Shona Rubens (Canmore, AB) (2005), Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC) (2007) and Erin Mielzynski (Guelph, ON) (2008).

Manuel Osborne-Paradis (Vancouver, BC) and John Kucera (Calgary, AB) are two Canadian World Cup winners who are also alumni of the program. Last season's Coupe GMC Cup winners were Ashley-Kate Durham (Montreal, QC) and Benjamin Thomsen (Invermere, BC).

Mike Culver and Diane Culver of Montreal were the circuit's first overall champions in 1969.  Other overall champions from Quebec were Diane Pratte (mother of CAST member Brigitte Acton),  Denise Crichton (1970); Arthur Bourbeau and Karen Cloutier (1972); Yvon Blackburn (1974); Daniel Bergeron, Raymond Pratte (1976); Lynn Lacasse, Paul Boivin (1980).

Be sure to also check out the Coupe GMC Cup website (www.gm.ca/cup) which features new Canadian Alpine Ski Team bios, videos from Erik Guay (Mont-Tremblant, QC), Janyk, Kucera and Osborne-Paradis as well as other exciting new features.

Competition continues Saturday with another GS for men and women.

Friday's leading giant slalom results at the GMC Cup alpine skiing competition at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.

Women: 1. Laura Rozinowicz, Toronto, 2:14.08; 2. Emily Goad, Avra, Ont., 2:15.69; 3. Rebecca Nadler, Ottawa, 2:15.94; 4. Zoe Livingston, U.S., 2:16.88; 5. Gillian Chisholm, Toronto, 2:17.40; 6. Shannon Campbell, Clarksburg, Ont., 2:17.63; 7.Stephanie Gould, Orleans, Ont., 2:19.60; 8. Delaney Backerman, U.S., 2:20.04; 9. Charlotte Cornali, U.S., 2:20.15; 10. Florence Lacombe, Magog, Que., 2:20.19.

Men: Dan Loman, U.S., 2:09.24; 2. Thomas Grand, Toronto, 2:09.68; 3. Bump Heldman, U.S., 2:09.95; 4. Kelby Halbert, Bradford, Ont., 2:10.75; 5. Andrew Solomon, Toronto, 2;10.94; 6. Dillon Prophet, La Conception, Que., 2;10.95; 7. Phillipe Crete Belzile, Cap-Rouge, Que., 2 :11.80; 8. Julien Sheiner, Ottawa, 2;11.85; 9. Simon Mannella, Piedmont, Que., 2;13.10; 10. Michael Bisnaire, Toronto, 2 :13.57.

INFORMATION:

Janice Avon Coupe GMC Cup (604) 318-1081 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it