Jeffrey Frisch claims weather-plagued downhill at Canadian nationals

Jeffrey Frisch claims weather-plagued downhill at Canadian nationals{mosimage}Whistler, BC After plenty of the fluffy stuff fell on the Dave Murray downhill track Tuesday, causing numerous delays, men’s downhill racing action got underway and Jeffrey Frisch took the victory.

Frisch, who also won the overall NorAm downhill title this season, earning a downhill spot on the World Cup circuit for 2006-07, was ecstatic in the finish, pumping his fists pumped and letting out a huge ‘Yeah!’

“I was a bit disappointed that the men’s start was lowered due to the conditions because I love the top section of this course,” said Frisch who raced the Dave Murray Downhill for the first time in training on Monday.

“I was four seconds [out] in the training run but I always take the first run a bit more conservatively to get the feeling. I am a racer, not a trainer and I had rockets under my feet! My goal is to be a strong contender in all four disciplines,” added the winner.

Calgary’s John Kucera, who finished second behing Manuel Osborne-Paradis in training, held the second fastest time, winning the silver in 1:19.95.

“I caught an edge on the top knoll, I was on one leg and almost went into the fence,” said Kucera who admitted he scared himself a little. “I lost some momentum but I still tried to be very aggressive. Of course I will gain experience in Whistler for 2010, but ultimately, I am here to win titles.”

Jan Hudec, who made a comeback this season after almost a year off snow recovering from a knee injury, clinched third place in 1:20.62.

“I am very happy, I even had one of the fastest first interval times,” said Hudec, who, with his wife Crystal, celebrated the birth of their first son a few weeks ago.

“I am disappointed with my mistakes later in the course, I know I can ski with the World Cup guys, it is just a matter of confidence,” said Hudec. “My confidence level is a direct reflection of how my knee is feeling and with my Breg brace on I am feeling pretty good. Super G is my secret weapon so I look forward to racing in that event this week.”

Osborne-Paradis, who led the pack in the training run, fell back to fifth after skiing too passively.

“I was too round on my turns and didn’t ski as well as I can,” said Osborne-Paradis. “I am really happy for Frisch, I see him joining the World Cup team next year.”

“When I come back to the national championships, of course I’d like to win, but I also want to give my points to the development athletes,’ added Osborne-Paradis.

After arriving from the Word Cup Finals in Sweden last night, coaches decided Francois Bourque and Stefan Guay would not compete in the downhill.

“It’s disappointing not to race the Downhill but it would have been a bit difficult due to our schedule the last few weeks and the jet lag,” said Bourque.

Men’s downhill
Canadian national championships
Whistler, British Columbia
March 21, 2006

1. FRISCH, Jeffrey 1:19.89
2. KUCERA, John 1:19.95
3. HUDEC, Jan 1:20.62
4. SINE, Gareth 1:20.79
5. OSBORNE-PARADIS, Manuel 1:20.87
6. DIXON, Robbie 1:20.93
7. ROBERT, Jonathan 1:21.22
8. WRIGHT, Patrick 1:21.28
9. LEMAN, Brady 1:21.80
10. CHADDOCK, Benjamin 1:21.88