Alana Ramsay leads the Canadian Team in 7th at the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships Giant Slalom Français
Mar 08, 2015, 21:26 ET
PANORAMA, BC, March 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Another day of racing has wrapped up at the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championship, where Alana Ramsay of Calgary, Alta. led the Canadian team with a 7th place finish in today's Giant Slalom (standing) at Panorama Mountain Resort.
It was a blue bird day for the Giant Slalom racers. The snow was hard for the morning's first run, but as the temperature rose, the snow softened up, the speeds picked up during run two. It was anyone's race and everyone fought for it.
Ramsay finished 7th (2:23.74) in the women's Giant Slalom standing category. She showed confidence and speed in her second run, which allowed her to achieve her best result at this year's World Championships.
Calgary's Kurt Oatway finished 10th in the men's Giant Slalom (sitting). Oatway struggled during his first run, but regrouped for run two which proved to be successful. Progress, focus and improvement were all things Oatway confidently said he drew from Sunday's race.
Kirk Schornstein of Spruce Grove, Alta. had some trouble at the beginning of run 1; he lost his pole at the start. Schornstein refocused for run two and was all smiles when he crossed the finish line, finishing 16th (2:12.16) in the men's Giant Slalom (standing).
"I had a stronger second run, the snow was awesome, even though there was shade on course," explained Schornstein. "Man, it was so much fun to ski down and to be on home soil once again. It has been the best worlds to date. It is so amazing to compete in front of family and friends at home."
Newcomer Alex Cairns of Squamish, B.C. made his debut on the international stage. Cairns, who currently sits on the Canadian Para-Alpine prospect team, finished 16th (2:20.24) in the men's Giant Slalom (Sitting).
Rossland, B.C.'s Kimberly Joines made her debut today in the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championship Giant Slalom (sitting). She was off to a strong start, picking up speed, when she caught an edge on the top half of the first run and DNF'd. Toronto's Erin Latimer, who was completing in the Giant Slalom (standing), also DNF run 1.
Before the race, the crowd was treated to a blast from the past when retired three-time Paralympic medalist Josh Dueck foreran Sunday's Giant Slalom. He described the track as being sneaky and "if you pull too hard it can get behind you." Dueck, who announced his retirement last fall, has been commentating the all the races from the finish line.
The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championship will continue Tuesday, March 10 at Panorama Mountain Resort for the final race day. The first run of the Slalom race will begin at 10 a.m. Mountain Time.
Visit www.alpinecanada.org for full coverage and complete results of our para-alpine athletes and make sure to follow Canada's skiers on Twitter at @Alpine_Canada
The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships live streaming schedule can be found at www.cbc.ca/sports/skiing
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SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
Image with caption: "Panorama, B.C. (Sunday, March 8, 2015) Another day of racing has wrapped up at the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championship, where Alana Ramsay of Calgary, Alta. led the Canadian team with a 7th place finish in today’s Giant Slalom (standing) at Panorama Mountain Resort. (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150308_C5377_PHOTO_EN_12933.jpg
For further information: Brianne Fodor, Director, Marketing & Communications, Alpine Canada Alpin, C 403-826-6393, [email protected], www.alpinecanada.org; Alison Korn, Senior Manager, Media Relations and Communications, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Phone: 613-569-4333 ext. 243, Cell: 613-298-4927, [email protected]