Griffin and Jarvis win national ski championships GS titles

Perfect weather conditions at Coronet Peak today allowed for New Zealand’s top alpine ski racers to go head-to-head in their battle for the national giant slalom (GS) honours at the National Ski Championships.

Ben Griffin and Sarah Jarvis were crowned the Men’s and Women’s 2009 Champions respectively.

Griffin, of Ohakune, clocked a combined time of 140.56 finishing sixth overall against the strong international field, which was considered a similar level to that of a North American (NorAm) Cup race.

The race was won by the Norway’s Leif Kristian Haugen in 1.39.10. Jean-Philippe Roy, of Canada, won the silver medal in 1.39.63, while Niklas Rainer of Sweden took out bronze in 1.39.89.

Haugen, who trains in with the Treble Cone Race Academy (TCRA) was excited to come away with a win.

“This was the second best race I have ever skied and I’m really happy to win,” said Haugen. “Myself, along with a number of other races have greatly valued the support of Guenther and the Treble Cone Race Academy crew this season.”

Winter Games New Zealand GS Champion Marie-Michele Gagnon, of Canada, won gold in the Women’s GS in 1.41.40. Liechtenstein’s Tina Weirather secured silver with 1.41.76 and Martina Schild, of Switzerland secured bronze with 1.41.84.

Following Griffin, Tim Café, of Queenstown, clocked a time of 1.42.23 as the second fastest New Zealander, placing 16th overall, while Angus Howden finished 20th overall and was the third fastest kiwi with a time of 1.42.90.

Whakapapa’s Sarah Jarvis, who placed 16th overall, secured the title of New Zealand’s Women’s GS Champion with a time of 1.45.46, narrowly beating Auckland’s Lucy Tait-Jamieson who clocked 145.48 and placed 17th overall. Alexandra McGlinn, of Christchurch, was the third fastest Kiwi, placing 19th overall with a time of 1.45.85.

“It’s great to be able to ski against such a high class field,” said Jarvis. “The course was challenging but really fun.”

The fastest New Zealanders in the junior categories were named Junior Champions.

The ‘Junior 2’ category champions were McGlinn in the Women’s, and Adam Barwood, of Queenstown, in the Men’s.

Younger racers Emily Wright, of Christchurch, and Finlay Neeson, of Taranaki, took top honours in the female and male ‘Junior 2’ category.

For complete race results, visit www.fis-ski.com.

The National Championships slalom will be held tomorrow at Coronet Peak.

Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand. Ski Racing New Zealand is a member of Snow Sports New Zealand.

ENDS