Day 1, Giant Slalom, Coronet Peak , September 5th
The Giant Slalom event is always a highlight for the speed freaks and lycra brigade and this year was no exception. This is the first Nationals event to be held at Coronet Peak and for many racers used to less technical courses it was hell. With blue skies above and an icy hard, long and highly challenging course set we were in for a perfect day of racing.
Over the years the number of hard boot racer heads has decreased but for those remaining the level is wicked. Amongst the starters was Kiwi John Shelly straight from the US where he a full time member of the international Cross-M team. Pevious G.S champ Greg Prouse back to defend his title along with long time racer Thomas Jones. The international field was represented well with several top ranked Japanese and Korean riders.
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| "Out of a steap start gate, full speed into the first few turns and then a massive roll over, so steep you couldn't see the gates below- enough to intimidate even the most experienced riders.."
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In previous years at Cardrona the atmosphere in the start area has been jovial but this year the strain was showing, many of the younger competitors terrified by the course before them. Out of a steap start gate, full speed into the first few turns and then a massive icy roll over, so steep you couldn't see the gates below- enough to intimidate even the most experienced riders.
With 70 starters in the first run 15 never completed the course, many having spectacular wipeouts and losing the right to a second run.
The international form and experience of John Shelly was unstoppable on the day,claiming first place but also slapped with a $100 fine from event organisers for his abuse of race staff at the top of the course. In a great display of riding in soft boots Glen Howe from Queenstown took second place followed by ex champ Greg Prouse in third. The womans section was won buy long time Kiwi battler Louisa Muir, satisfied with her return to competition. The soft booters also showing form with Queenstowners Rachael Newton coming second and Jana Gibson third.
Highlight of the day had to be the form of the junior men and women showing couragious runs on a very challenging course.Eighteen-year-old Australian Clinton Wilton, who has been training overseas in the States, was another runaway winner in the junior mens division.
His combined time was a whopping 18sec ahead of second placed Jah Harris from Wanaka and Canterbury rider Anthony Leffelaar, a member of the Cheapskates rookie team, was third.
GIANT SLALOM RESULTS:
MEN
1 John Shelly Lake Tahoe
2 Glen Howe Queenstown
3 Greg Prouse Whakapapa
WOMEN
1 Louisa Muir Queenstown
2 Rachael Newton Queenstown
3 Jana Gibson Queenstown
— Chris V, BoarderZone.com Staff  |HAVE YOUR SAY|
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