Canadian Freeskiing Championships Results
Photos courtesy Ron Panky/MSI
Whistler, BC CAN--The Whistler/Blackcomb Canadian Freeskiing Championships concluded January 11 on Blackcomb Mountain's "Diamond Bowl". Weather threatened to delay the competition with tough visibility and light snowing conditions, but the storm held off long enough for the finals to take place.
In the men's division Manuel Gaidet of Courchevel, France moved from his 4th position, going into the finals, to win the Canadian title. Gaidet skied a very technical line through the top of Diamond Bowl, with dangerous exposure and intense speed. He skied through a technical cliff band in the upper section of the bowl and worked his way through some steep gladed trees through the bottom of the venue with flawless fluidity. The semi-finals battle between American Rick Greener and Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit placed Chicherit in 2nd place. "I come to (the North American contests) to win," said Chicherit, "if I don't win I will crash trying." Greener tied with Canadian Pierre-Yves LeBlanc for 3rd.