Nouvelles sportives

Dziewior wins first Canadian Para-Alpine Championship

16 03 2011

Andrea Dziewior won her first Canadian Championships title in giant slalom Tuesday as the 2011 TELUS Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Championships kicked off in Kimberley, B.C.

Competing in the ladies standing category, Dziewior, of Nanaimo, B.C., crossed the finish line with a time of two minutes, 32.35 seconds.

“Andrea skied well,” said CPAST Athletic Director Brianne Law. “She tried something in her first run and that didn’t really work out for her but she adjusted a couple of things in her second run and she was way faster.

“She started the season on the injured list since she was still suffering from a concussion. She worked really hard all season to improve. Her technique, mental game and motivation to win have changed dramatically. It’s good to see the shift and the whole coaching staff is impressed.”

Matt Hallat, who competes in the men’s standing category, won his second consecutive giant slalom Canadian Championships Tuesday.

Hallat, who calls Squamish home, finished with a two-run combined time of 2:14.06.

“My race today went really good,” said 26-year-old Hallat. “I skied extremely well, especially considering today’s race was a giant slalom, which is my weakest event. It feels good to put two good runs together.

Hallat, who was second in the super combined at the Austrian National Championships two weeks ago, is hoping to finish the season on a high note.

“I’m on a roll,” added Hallat. “I feel confident and when you believe in yourself you feel like you can do anything. This race is giving me confidence for tomorrow’s race and the Championship slalom race on Thursday.”

Also in the men’s standing category, Kirk Schornstein, of Spruce Grove, Alta., finished second. Michael Whitney, of North Bay, Ont, and Braydon Luscombe, of Duncan, B.C., finished fourth and fifth respectively. Both athletes are part of the Prospect Group program.

Toronto, Ont., athlete, Melanie Schwartz finished second in the ladies standing category.

Josh Dueck, of Vernon, B.C., who was trying to repeat his 2009 feat by winning the giant slalom national crown, finished third in the men’s sitting category. He was beaten by two U.S. athletes, with Christopher Devlin-Young first and Tyler Walker second. Development team member Sam Danniels finished sixth.

The athletes will take part in an IPC Coupe Nor-Am Cup giant slalom race Wednesday.

KIMBERLEY, B.C. – MARCH 15, 2011 – GS – MEN AND LADIES

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