Queenstown, New Zealand – Day two of the Australia New Zealand Cup ski races races at Coronet Peak on Tuesday saw the Canadians claiming the top three positions in the men’s slalom and two of the top three in the women’s slalom, separated only by American Hailey Duke, who single-handedly prevented a Canadian podium sweep.nIn the men’s race, Patrick Biggs of the Canadian national team was first home with teammate David Donaldson second and fellow national team member Trevor White in third place. In the women’s event Marie-Michele Gagnon of Canada took top honors, with Duke second and Madison Irwin of Canada in third.
Duke, of Boise, Idaho, made an equipment switch earlier this spring to Fischer boots and seems to be settling in nicely.
“Hailey was struggling a bit last season with her equipment and the boot change has helped quite a bit,” said U.S. Ski Team Head Coach Alex Hoedlmoser. “She’s doing a good job adjusting. It’s been a solid camp for her.”
Meanwhile, Kiwi Sarah Jarvis finished a creditable fourth in the women’s race, complementing the form she showed on Monday in the first race of the series.
“It’s a fantastic result for Sarah in her quest for the Golden bib,” said Snow Sports New Zealand Alpine Manager and ANC Committee member James Lazor.
Nolan Kasper, of Warren, Vt., who raced in the 2010 Olympic slalom, nabbed the top American men’s slot with fifth followed by David Chodounsky, of Crested Butte, Colo., in sixth. The first New Zealander to finish in the men’s event was Harrison Steedman in 10th place. New Zealand’s top two men, Ben Griffin and Tim Cafe, did not finish the first run in difficult conditions.
Richard Murphy, head of Coronet Peak Race and Events Department, said the race came off without a hitch despite warm temperatures and limited visibility.
“It was a great race run under difficult conditions,” said Murphy. “All credit to everyone who finished today.”
Lazor expressed his gratitude to the team at Coronet Peak for assisting the ANC series and staging a world class event.
“We’d never be able to have the quality races we have without the support of Coronet Peak,” said Lazor. “The whole team did a great job.”
The race closed a nearly two-and-a-half week training camp for U.S. women. Next up is an extended on-snow camp in Chile where the focus will move toward speed training with downhill and super G.
Australia New Zealand Cup
Coronet Peak, New Zealand
August 17, 2010
Men’s Slalom
1. Patrick Biggs, Canada, 1:30.28
2. David Donaldson, Canada, 1:30.74
3. Trevor White, Canada, 1:31.74
4. Tim Lindren, Sweden, 1:31.42
5. Nolan Kasper, Warren, VT, 1:31.42
Women’s Slalom
1. Marie-Michele Gagnon, Canada, 1:36.49
2. Hailey Duke, Boise, ID, 1:38.73
3. Madison Irwin, Canada, 1:40.60
4. Sarah Jarvis, New Zealand, 1:41.19
5. Madison McLeish, Canada, 1:41.93