Alpine Canada Alpin: News bulletin/Bulletin d'infos

Tuesday, December 2, 2003

FERNIE, BC'S EMILY BRYDON WINS OPENING WORLD CUP DOWNHILL TRAINING RUN AT THE 2003 CIBC LAKE LOUISE WINTERSTART

Lake Louise, Alberta (December 2, 2003) - Canada's own Emily Brydon posted the fasted time at the first women's downhill training run of the 2003-04 World Cup season at the CIBC Lake Louise Winterstart. Brydon crossed the finish line in one minute, 35.43 seconds, more than half a second ahead of France's Carole Montillet, the defending champion of the Lake Louise downhill and the Salt Lake City Olympic champion.

The Fernie Snow Valley Ski Club member who injured her knee two years ago, in St. Anton, Austria, has been training very hard for her comeback. Brydon, who trains and competes all four disciplines, spent her summer training in her hometown of Fernie where she played soccer and did some mountain biking.

"It was the hardest thing I have had to do, just mentally overcoming the barriers," said Brydon of her comeback. But she said the course was good, and the easiest it has run in a few years due to excellent snow conditionsand course-set. "This was a very big step for me. I know everything is possible."

Finishing third behind Montillet's time of 1:35.99 was Lindsey Kildow of the U.S., who crossed the finish in 1:36.01.

Brydon also said the success of the men's team in Lake Louise last weekend, inspired the women to do well. Erik Guay was second on the podium in men's downhill and sixth in Super G.

"It is so motivating when your teammates do well," she said. "We are all part of this team together."

Kitchener, Ontario's Kelly VanderBeek also cracked the top-30, finishing 26th.

"I made a few rookie mistakes but the course was in good condition. I know I can compete now and I want to keep being up there with the strongest skiers," said VanderBeek, last year's Super G World Junior bronze-medallist.

Of the six other Canadians to start on Tuesday, Anne-Marie Lefrancois (Charlesbourg, Que.) finished 39th, while Genevieve Simard (Val-Morin, Que.) was 46th, Sherry Lawrence (Calgary, Alta.) was 49th, Christina Risler(Vancouver, BC) was 56th, and Emilie Desforges (Dorval, Que.) was 57th. Sara-Maude Boucher, who is attempting a comeback to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, was 60th.

Canadian Quotes:
"I feel good. I was comfortable and everything was going fine. Lake Louise is one of my favourite places and I feel at home here."
Genevieve Simard, Val-Morin, Que.

"Everything went fine. The course was easy and I had a good run. I had fun - if the conditions stay like this, it'll be a great week." -Sherry Lawrence, Calgary, Alta.

"I was a little nervous, because I crashed here last year and I haven't skied since January, but it's better now. It's weird that my first run is a World Cup one, but I'm looking forward to this weekend's races."
-Christina Risler, Vancouver, BC

"I feel good. I didn't push a lot. I skied the line and I stayed calm. Physically, my knees hurt sometimes, but that's the only thing." -Anne-Marie Lefrancois, Charlesbourg, Que.

"This is great for the confidence, but when it comes to race day, it's a whole new ballgame."
-Emily Brydon, Fernie, BC

"It's my first World Cup and I'm very excited. I couldn't wait to go down - even 10 seconds in the starting gate seemed too long for me. I want to be more aggressive tomorrow, and to qualify for one of the six spots."
-Emilie Desforges, Dorval, Que.

Top 10:
1. (32) Emily Brydon, Fernie, BC, 1:35:43; 2. (8) Carole Montillet, FRA 1:35:99; 3. (34) Lindsey C. Kildow, USA, 1:36:01; 4. (16) Maria Riesch, GER, 1:36:02; 5. (21) Daniela Ceccarelli, ITA 1:36:05; 6. (19) Hilde Gerg, GER, 1:36.07; 7. (52) Anne-Laure Givelet, FRA, 1:36.35; 8. (17) Michaela Dorfmeister, AUT, 1:36.48; 9. (4) Isabelle Huber, GER, 1:36.58; 10. (39) Selina Heregger, AUT, 1:36.56.

Canadians:
1. (32) Emily Brydon, Fernie, BC, 1:35.43
26. (37) Kelly VanderBeek, Kitchener, Ont., 1:37.53
39. (36) Anne-Marie Lefrancois, Charlesbourg, Que. 1:38.19
46. (43) Genevieve Simard, Val-Morin, Que. 1:38.53
49. (57) Sherry Lawrence, Calgary, Alta., 1:38.84
56. (63) Christina Risler, Vancouver, BC, 1:39.73
57. (60) Emilie Desforges, Dorval, Que., 1:39.74
60. (55) Sara-Maude Boucher, St-Denis de Brompton, Que. 1:40.65