Fischbacher delivers Gold to Austria

Andrea Fischbacher has delivered a gold medal to Austria for the first time at the alpine ski racing events of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Fiscbacher finished the Franz’s Super-G course at Whistler Creekside in a time of one minute 20.14 seconds to win today’s ladies Olympic super-G, outlasting charges from Slovenia’s Tina Maze, who claimed silver a half second back, and USA’s Lindsey Vonn in the bronze medal position.

The result gives Austria its second medal of the alpine events. The Americans lead with seven medals, including at least one in each race thus far.

A disappointing day for the Canadians had Britt Janyk (Whistler, BC) finish 17^th in 1:22.89. Her run included a ‘must see’ save off of a jump in a section midway through the course known as Ladner’s Roll. In total, fifteen of the 53 skiers failed to finish the course, most having trouble with tight right turn and tricky course set in the Ladner’s Roll section.

“I am really frustrated and disappointed not to walk away with a medal because I know I could have been there,” said Janyk, who was sixth in the ladies downhill earlier in the week. “I also know that it’s not easy. It’s very difficult in alpine skiing to win a medal. The competition is so strong.”

Georgia Simmerling (West Vancouver, BC) placed 27^th in her first Olympic competition, finishing in 1:25.21.

Emily Brydon (Fernie, BC) and Shona Rubens (Canmore, AB) fell victim to the tricky course set and were among those who did not finish.

“I’m fine. There’s no broken bones or anything. I am just a giant walking bruise,” Brydon joked after crashing in her run.

“It’s definitely not what I had hoped for or envisioned or planned. There are so many opportunities for greatness out there and I wasn’t able to capitalize,” said Brydon, who placed 16^th in the downhill and 14^th in the super combined.

“There are a lot of emotions. The Olympics Games are a very emotional thing. It is so powerful, so full of spirit,” she said. “And because it didn’t work out I think it is more emotional.”

“I have a team around me that is the best in the world. So you want to deliver, not only for yourself, but for them. So you’re letting many people down when things don’t work out,” Brydon said.

“It’s frustrating because we know our potential. But potential isn’t results. And in sports, its results that matter,” said Brydon.

Louis-Pierre Helie (Berthierville, QC) finished tied for 20^th in the final downhill training prior to tomorrow’s men’s Olympic super combined. Start time is scheduled for 9:30 am PT for the downhill with the slalom to follow at 12:15 PT.

WHISTLER, BC – FEB. 20, 2010 – SUPER COMBINED TRAINING - MEN

COMPLETE RESULTS

WHISTLER, BC - FEB. 20, 2010 – SUPER-G – LADIES

Did not finish 1st run: BRYDON Emily (CAN), RUBENS Shona (CAN)