PARALYMPICS: Clay Fox best American in GS, finishes 8th

PARALYMPICS: Clay Fox best American in GS, finishes 8th{mosimage}American Clay Fox finished the men’s standing GS race in eighth place at the 2006 Paralympic Games, following a stellar first run that put him in prime podium contention with a second-place standing. Fox finished the two runs in 1:51.82, one second behind the bronze medalist.

‘I knew it would take a really great second run to hold everyone off’ said Fox. ‘The second course wasn’t quite as technical as the first and didn’t suit me as well.’

For many, the difference between the set-up of the first and second course was a challenge.

‘The first was the tightest GS I’ve ever seen’ said American Monte Meier, who didn’t finish the second run. The re-set, second course was more open, with fewer gates.

‘I like more turns’ Fox said. ‘But I’m happy with how I skied. I gave it my best shot.’

Coloradoan Brad Washburn, 19, posted a solid finish with a time of 1:55.60, which earned him a 15th-place finish. Teammates George Sansonetis and Jim Lagerstrom also placed in the top-20, finishing 18th and 20th respectively.

‘It’s tough [competition]. It’s the Paralympics and that’s how it should be’ said Sansonetis. ‘I wouldn’t be here if it was easy.’

Coloradoans Allison Jones and Sandy Dukat finished in the top-10 among the women’s standing line-up. Jones finished in 2:03.16 for fifth, while Dukat finished in 2:05.36 for eighth.

‘I put two really good runs together’ said Jones. ‘I can’t complain. People are stepping up and skiing as hard as they can.’

Fox agreed that the competition was tough.

‘This is the most competitive field I’ve ever seen’ Fox said. ‘It’s tough to get into the top-10. Even the guys at the bottom of the pack had a chance because the snow held up so well. There were great conditions.’

Gerd Schoenfelder of Germany earned his third medal (his second gold) with the Men’s standing GS win. Japanese Masaniko Tokai took silver, while Thomas Pfyl of Switzerland took bronze.

After already nabbing two golds in the downhill and super G, France’s Solene Jampaque came in third behind Canadian Lauren Woolstencroft and German Andrea Rothfuss in the Women’s standing GS.

To date, the U.S. team’s three gold medals and one silver medal have come from the mono-skiers in the downhill and super G speed events. The U.S. team will be looking to add to that total in the men’s and women’s sitting GS competition Friday, March 17.

Andy Parr, the only U.S. competitor in the visually impaired (VI) category, will also compete on Friday in his first event of the Games.

Competition begins at 10:00 a.m. in Sestriere Borgata.

– USOC

IX PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES
Sestriere Borgata, Italy March 16, 2006

Women’s GS (Standing)
1. Lauren Woolsencraft (CAN) 1:57.81
2. Andrea Fothfuss (GER) 1:59.42
3. Solene Jambaque (FRA) 1:59.81
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5. Allison Jones (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 2:03.16
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8. Sandy Dukat (Vail, Colo.) 2:05.36
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11. Elitsa Storey (Sun Valley, Colo.) 2:10.49
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19. Hannah Pennington (Winter Park, Colo.) 2:20.80

Men’s GS (Standing)
1. Gerd Schoenfelder (GER) 1:48.61
2. Masahiko Tokai (JPN) 1:49.93
3. Thomas Pfyl (SUI) 1:50.82
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8. Clay Fox (Beaverton, Ore.) 1:51.82
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15. Brad Washburn (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) 1:55.60
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18. George Sansonetis (Fraser, Colo.) 1:58.34
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20. Jim Lagerstrom (Dearborn, Mich.) 1:58.74
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24. Reed Robinson (Incline Village, Nev.) 1:59.46
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31. Chris Canfield (Breckenridge, Colo.) 2:04.15
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44. Josh Sundquist (Richmond, Va.) 2:16.06
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46. Ralph Green (Vail, Colo.) 2:20.86

Did Not Finish 2nd Run
Monte Meier (Park City, Utah)