Canadian women advance at Nakiska Ski Cross World Cup
Canada got off to a strong start at the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup in Nakiska, Alta., as all four women advanced past the qualification round ahead of Friday’s season-opening races.
Georgia Simmerling, of West Vancouver, B.C., led the way with the third-fastest qualification time of the day as the women braved temperatures of around -20 to -25C to book their place in Friday’s round of 32 heats.
Marielle Thompson, of Whistler, B.C., was seventh-fastest in qualification, while Kelsey Serwa, of Kelowna, B.C., was 11th, and Danielle Sundquist, of Calgary, Alta., was 16th. The top 32 of 44 racers qualified for Friday’s elimination heats.
“My runs on this course have gotten faster and faster, and I think that was my cleanest, safest, fastest run. Now I’m ready to race against other girls and kick their butts,” joked Simmerling, who clocked a time of one minute, 36.17 seconds on a revamped course that is extremely long and technical in sections. “I’m feeling confident for tomorrow. I want to make finals, for sure. And if you’re going to make finals you’ve got to be on the podium, so podium, for sure. Steppin’ it up.
“I’ve had a really good couple weeks of training. I had a really good camp in Switzerland and my learning curve is only going up. I’m just trying to take in what I learn every day, and move it on to the next.”
Thompson, who in 2012 became the first Canadian to win an individual ski cross Crystal Globe as the overall World Cup champion, made a mistake that cost her time Thursday but still finished in 1:37.19.
“It was really fun. I skied really well but I caught an edge mid-way through but just kind of stuck with it,” said Thompson, the world championship silver medallist. “It’s good to know I’m in the middle of the pack when I kind of mess up. It’s showing all the training I’ve done this summer is paying off and that the confidence I’m feeling is confirmed with a good result today. I’m really hoping to build on that tomorrow.” Thompson is the only Canadian to have achieved the ‘Method A’ criteria, meaning she needs a top-12 result this weekend to qualify for nomination to Canada’s team for the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games. “This weekend I’m looking to qualify but I’m trying to aim for the podium every time I go out for a race,” Thompson said. “I’m going to go out there and do my best and have fun and ski fast, hopefully.” Serwa, who is returning from knee surgery for the second successive year, has confirmed she will race Friday after posting a time of 1:37.45 Thursday. Sundquist, meanwhile, recovered from a shaky start to finish in 1:38.29. “I skied really well today, I was really happy with it,” Sundquist said. “I totally screwed up the start and was a little concerned but I’m really happy with what happened and how it ended up. I feel confident and I feel good about the weekend. I feel like we’re going for it.” Eric Archer, Canada’s head coach, said he’s looking forward to seeing how his team stacks up against the competition on Friday. The men qualify in the morning before both men and women begin their elimination heats.
“My hopes are big. I’d like to see two or three on the podium,” Archer said of his women’s team. “It’s a war of attrition. It’s a long, long course and I think my girls are strong. They worked hard this summer so I think we should be alright.”
French veteran Ophelie David was the fastest qualifier (1:35.00) Thursday, followed by Switzerland’s Fanny Smith (1:35.40).
