Red Mountain Hosts Canadian Alpine Championships 2018
Erin Mielzynski (Collingwood, Ont.) won back-to-back slalom titles at the Canadian Championships. On Friday at Red Mountain Resort, Mielzynski was crowned the 2018 National Slalom Champion, making it her third title in this discipline. She also won in 2017 at Mont-Tremblant and in 2015 at Mont-Sainte Anne.
“It was honestly a little nerve-wracking to defend a title,” said Mielzynski. “It was definitely a bit rougher second run but some good practice to see how far I can push and keep a lead. It was a lot of fun and the volunteers did a really great job getting the race off. I’m really happy to be here and stand on the podium. Nationals is the biggest thing for us tech racers to come to right now in Canada. It means a lot to me to race with these youngsters. Sometimes they beat me and sometimes it’s close but it’s huge for me to try and be a role model here. Above all, I’m proud to be here to be part of this team. I love RED Mountain Resort and I’d definitely come back.”
Red Mountain Resort and its volunteers continued to battle tough weather conditions for the 2018 National Championships. Snow dumped down all day for the men’s slalom and ladies’ giant slalom national championship races.
Valérie Grenier (Mont-Tremblant, Que.) defended her giant slalom national title for the second year in a row, winning by 0.10 and Erik Read (Calgary, Alta.) was named the men’s slalom national champion for the third time in his career.
Grenier made up time on her second run after sitting in fourth-place after her first run. Grenier won the second run by .44 seconds.
“I’m happy I could make up time today and it was a nice surprise to be on the podium!” said Grenier.
On the men’s side, the Read brothers went one and two with older brother Erik Read finishing in first-place and Jeffrey Read (Calgary, Alta.) finishing 1.64 seconds back in second-place. Rounding out the men’s slalom national podium was Jack (James) Crawford (Whistler, B.C./ Toronto, Ont.).
“We’ve had all sorts of weather in Rossland and today we had some snow thrown at us,” said Erik Read. “Trevor [Philp] threw down a great first run so I knew I had to have a great second run to catch him. Unfortunately he went out but I’m really happy to be National Champ. I think the National Championships are really important in Canada so I’m super happy to have the title today. It’s really great to be racing with some of the younger guys who are bringing new and great energy into ski racing.”
“Racing Erik [Read] here is like the good old days chasing him down the track,” said Jeffery Read. “It was great to have him as a pace-setter. It’s always nicer when I beat him but I couldn’t catch him today!”
The final men’s giant slalom, originally scheduled on Friday, will finally take place on Sunday and conclude the events in Red Mountain Resort.
