Canadians compete in South American Cup races in preparation for World Cup season
LA PARVA, CHI (August 29th, 2008) – National development team ski racer Georgia Simmerling (West Vancouver, BC) is off to a fast start during summer training in South America.
Simmerling, participating in her first competitive ski races since the end of last season, won back-to-back South American Cup downhill races yesterday and today.
Reigning Pontiac GMC Canadian super combined champion Kelly McBroom (Canmore, AB) finished second both days.
“Both Georgia and Kelly have looked really comfortable on the downhill track the last few days and comfortable in the air, they both did a good job,” said Ladies Development Team coach Tim Gfeller. “I think everyone is really excited to start racing and get after it.”
Simmerling finished yesterday’s DH in a time of one minute 24.92 seconds with McBroom about half a second back. Today’s official results were not immediately available.
Simmerling and McBroom were the only two members of the national team to compete although the Ladies development group has been in Chile since mid-August preparing for the upcoming World Cup season.
“We are having excellent training here with other national teams, we have been getting great sessions and are really happy with the way things are going right now,” Gfeller said.
There will be no Canadians racing in tomorrow’s scheduled slalom race.
Similar to the Coupe Nor-Am Cup race series, the South American Cup is a FIS-sanctioned race circuit. Races this season have had an international field including athletes from Canada, the U.S., Switzerland, Chile, Argentina and others.
The FIS World Cup season gets underway Oct. 25th and 26th with Men’s and Ladies giant slalom races in Sölden, AUT.
Canada will host the first World Cup speed events of the season as the Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart gets underway with Men’s races Nov. 29th and 30th with Ladies competition taking place from Dec. 5th to 7th.
LA PARVA, CHI – AUG. 28TH, 2008 – DH – LADIES
1 | 8 | SIMMERLING Georgia | 1989 | CAN | 1:24.92 |
2 | 12 | MCBROOM Kelly | 1989 | CAN | 1:25.45 |
3 | 14 | COOPER Kirsten | 1988 | USA | 1:26.72 |
4 | 9 | KELLEHER Keely | 1984 | USA | 1:27.12 |
5 | 28 | KUENG Mirena | 1988 | SUI | 1:27.68 |
6 | 15 | SIMARI BIRKNER Macarena | 1984 | ARG | 1:28.02 |
7 | 11 | SIMARI BIRKNER Maria Belen | 1982 | ARG | 1:28.13 |
8 | 1 | JARDI Laura | 1992 | SPA | 1:28.36 |
9 | 7 | WALES Brooke | 1990 | USA | 1:29.00 |
10 | 20 | SAMUELS Lauren | 1992 | USA | 1:29.16 |
For complete results: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=AL&raceid=55560