Vonn leads ladies downhill training

OLYMPICS: VONN LEADS LADIES DOWNHILL TRAINING

Canada’s Britt Janyk finishes fifth in preparation for Wednesday’s scheduled race

WHISTLER, BC (February 15^th, 2010) – American Lindsey Vonn put a well publicized injury aside today, finishing with the top time in a split ladies downhill training run at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Whistler, BC.

Vonn, who has made headlines this week after injuring her shin training prior to the Olympics, finished in one minute 30.75 seconds which was just ahead of teammate Julia Mancuso and Austria’s Elisabeth Goergl. Canadian Britt Janyk (Whistler, BC), skiing on the piste she grew up on as family members participate in the Alpine events as part of the course crew, placed fifth in 1:31.76.

The training actually took place over two runs, with the first run ending at the super combined slalom start and then the second run completing the bottom portion through to the finish line. The second run began after the conclusion of today’s men’s downhill.

Shona Rubens (Canmore, AB) was 10^th today 1:32.48 while Emily Brydon (Fernie, BC) was 17^th and Georgia Simmerling (West Vancouver, BC) did not finish her run.

“We really happy to have a training run under our belt,” Rubens said.

“We knew with all the rain and snow that the snow conditions were going to be a challenge but today we found out just how challenging it’s going to be. We are going to have to bring it one race day, (and are) looking forward to the challenge,” she added.

The ladies are scheduled to have another training tomorrow that would again be shortened finish at the slalom start. Start time is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The women’s downhill is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday.

WHISTLER, BC - FEB. 15, 2010 - DOWNHILL TRAINING – LADIES

Did not finish 1^st run: SIMMERLING Georgia (CAN)