ARTA TERME, ITA (January 9, 2011) – It was a rainy day in Italy as Josh Dueck (Vernon, BC) finished second in today’s giant slalom race. The result was Dueck’s first podium in a giant slalom event.
His career best result in a World Cup giant slalom race is a 10th place in Roll Rinn, AUT, last season. Dueck crossed the finish line with a time of two minutes, 39.27 seconds.
The Vernon skier, who competes in the men’s sitting category, has had success in downhill and slalom in recent years. He was crowned IPC World Champion in downhill in 2009 and won a silver medal in the slalom event at the Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games.
“I’m a little bit surprised about today’s result. I knew that my giant slalom skills had improved over the summer but at the same time at the beginning of the World Cup season I didn’t expect to be on the podium. I was more aiming for a couple of top 5 finishes,” said Dueck.
“With my fourth place Friday I knew I had it in me to be on the podium, especially after my second run that day,” added Dueck, who had the fastest second run in Friday’s giant slalom event.
Today’s event was scheduled to take place Saturday but because of Mother Nature’s failure to co-operate, the second run was postponed until this morning.
“It was tough. The weather was really bad and separating the race like they did demanded a lot of mental toughness. We had a three-hour delay today because of the fog. It was crazy, I was in the start gate and the starter began the countdown and as I started pushing my way through the gate he said, 'Start-stop,' - the fog was too heavy. I had to wait for another hour before I could race,” said Dueck, noting that his one-hour delay made him even more pumped and anxious to step out.
Chris Williamson (Markham, ON), along with his guide Robin Fémy (Mont-Tremblant, QC), once again finished on the podium in today’s race, in second place. Jon Santacana from Spain was the fastest skier in the men’s visually impaired category.
Canada scored its third podium today as Karolina Wisniewska (Ottawa, ON) finished third in the ladies standing category. Marie Bochet from France was the fastest lady and Germany’s Andrea Ruthfuss finished second.
In the men’s standing category, Kirk Schornstein (Edmonton, AB) finished in 10th place.
Morgan Perrin (Whistler, BC) and Matt Hallat (Whistler, BC) were not able to finish the race.
ARTA TERME, ITA– JANUARY 9, 2011 - IPC WORLD CUP – M & L GIANT SLALOM
|
Rank |
Competitor |
Class |
Nation | |||
|
Standing Skiers female | ||||||
|
1 |
BOCHET Marie |
LW 6/8-2 |
FRA | |||
|
2 |
ROTHFUSS Andrea |
LW 6/8-2 |
GER | |||
|
3 |
WISNIEWSKA Karolina |
LW 3 |
CAN | |||
|
Visually Impaired Skiers male | ||||||
|
1 |
SANTACANA Jon |
B 2 |
ESP | |||
|
2 |
WILLIAMSON Christopher |
B 3 |
CAN | |||
|
|
Guide Robin Fémy |
|
| |||
|
3 |
BEREJNY Nicolas |
B 2 |
FRA | |||
|
Sitting Skiers male | ||||||
|
1 |
SUZUKI Takeshi |
LW 12-2 |
JPN | |||
|
2 |
DUECK Josh |
LW 11 |
CAN | |||
|
3 |
MORE Cyril |
LW 12-1 |
FRA | |||
|
Standing Skiers male | ||||||
|
1 |
GAUTHIER-MANUEL Vincent |
LW 6/8-2 |
FRA | |||
|
2 |
PFYL Thomas |
LW 9-2 |
SUI | |||
|
3 |
BRUEGGER Michael |
LW 4 |
SUI | |||
|
*** |
|
|
| |||
|
10 |
SHORNSTEIN Kirk |
LW 6/8-2 |
CAN | |||
DNF: HALLAT Matt (CAN), PERRIN Morgan (CAN)
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