Alpine Canada Alpin
Calgary, Alta. (February 15, 2016) – In foggy and snow-covered Crans Montana, Switzerland, Lac-Etchemin, Quebec’s Marie-Michèle Gagnon put down a pair of great runs, fighting through every turn to land herself on the podium for the first time in a slalom race since 2012. Gagnon started her second run sitting in 11th place, putting her right in the thick of a rutted up track that deteriorated quickly due to tough snow conditions. She skied with grit and determination, fighting to the very last gate, landing herself a third-place finish. Gagnon has had four top 10 finishes in slalom this season, including today’s third-place finish.
The usually perfect conditions found in Crans Montana were challenged not only by the huge amounts of snow that fell over the past few days, but racers had to also contend with a thick fog that rolled in and out, making it a tough day for many racers who “DNF’d” the second run. Erin Mielzynski from Collingwood, ON had a great first run, but the tough conditions found during the second run caused Mielzynski to make a small mistake at the third gate, causing her to blow out of the course.
USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin, who is returning to the circuit after weeks of injury recovery, didnn’t miss a beat and landed in the top spot with a lead of 0.45 seconds. France’s Nastasia Noens finished in second place and Gagnon rounded out the podium, 0.50 seconds back from Shiffrin’s time.
The ladies’ tech teams take advantage of a break before they’re back in action in Europe in March.
Ladies’ Slalom
3 – Marie-Michèle Gagnon
DNF – Erin Mielzynski
Click here for the official ladies’ results.
