Canadian nationals: Rubens, Guay soar to DH wins

Shona Rubens capped of sensational week of racing by winning the women’s downhill at the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships on Tuesday in Whistler, B.C. Erik Guay, meanwhile, held off a challenge from 2005 national downhill champion John Kucera to win the men’s title.
SHONA RUBENS capped of sensational week of racing by winning the women’s downhill at the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships on Tuesday in Whistler, B.C. Erik Guay, meanwhile, held off a challenge from 2005 national downhill champion John Kucera to win the men’s title.
    Rubens, who won the slalom and super G titles earlier this week and finished second in the giant slalom, won the downhill in a time of 1 minute, 23.29 seconds. Defending women’s downhill champion Britt Janyk finished second, crossing the finish line in 1:23.86 while Emilie Desforges was third in 1:24.09.
    “I knew I had a chance to win today,” Rubens said. “But Britt is the Queen of Whistler, so I guess it was a bit of a surprise when I came down and found out I was in first.
    “I feel as good as I’ve felt all year. This is a great way to end the season but, to be honest, I just want to keep racing. I’m looking forward to next year already, that’s for sure.”
    Guay won a much tighter race than Monday’s training run, winning in a time of 1:54.52. Kucera was second in 1:54.89 while François Bourque finished third in 1:55.29.
    “What a great course and perfect day, it was a World Cup-calibre course today,” said Guay, who won Monday’s training run by more than two seconds. “It’s a long track and it was icy and challenging. It would rank up there among the most challenging courses on the World Cup.
    “I had a good run today. I was doing some testing for next year and stuff like that so I’m happy with this result. Everyone is really motivated right now and we’re looking to keep the momentum we have built this year and carry it into next year.”
    Guay also won the national GS title earlier in the week.