National Ski Champs in Slalom decided today - Sarah Jarvis secures second title in a row

Day two of the National Ski Championships took place today at Coronet Peak under superb conditions with Angus Howden and Sarah Jarvis being named National Slalom Champions for 2009.

Jarvis, of Whakapapa, was on a high going into the slalom race after winning the New Zealand Giant Slalom Crown yesterday.

The Men’s race was won by Canadian Julien Cousineau with a time of 1.27.88, followed by frequent podium getter Leif Kristian Haugen, of Norway, securing silver in 1.28.34. Patrick Biggs, of Canada, secured bronze in 1.29.22.

Cousineau, who is currently ranked 37th on the FIS World Cup felt good get the number-one spot.

“It’s my first time racing here and I hope it’s not my last,” said Cousineau. “It feels good to be back on top. I was able to negotiate my way through today against a pretty strong field.”

The women’s race was won by Charline Vion, of France, in 1.42.92. Polish skier, Aleksandra Klus secured silver with 1.44.29 while Tereza Kmochova (CZE) secured bronze with 1.44.71.

Wellington raised Howden, who trains with the Cardrona High Performance Centre (HPC), under Coach Conrad Netzer, today became the 2009 National Men’s Slalom Champion with a time of 1.34.81.

“It was a challenging hill - a World Cup piece,” said Howden, who finished 13th overall. “It’s great to come away with the honours.”

Following Howden, fellow HPC team member, Andrew Wiley, of Queenstown, was the second fastest Kiwi, clocking 1.36.15, placing 16th overall. Finishing 19th overall in 1.38.43 Ski Racing New Zealand National Development Team Member Finlay Neeson, of Taranaki was the third fastest Kiwi.

Whakapapa’s Sarah Jarvis, who placed fifth overall, became the 2009 National Slalom Champion with a time of 1.48.64. Auckland’s Monique Oosterbaan followed, clocking 1.54.41 and finishing 12th overall. Harriet Miller-Brown, of Queenstown, was the third fastest Kiwi, with 13th overall and a time of 1.56.01

The fastest New Zealanders in the junior categories were named 2009 Junior Champions.

Oosterbaan and Adam Barwood, of Queenstown, took top honours in the female and male ‘Junior 2’ category.

Younger Champions in the ‘Junior 1’ category were Sophia Jamieson in the Women’s, and Finlay Neeson, of Taranaki, in the Men’s.

24 nations were represented at today’s race including Mongolia. The Mongolian team arrived yesterday for their very first trip to New Zealand

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

The National Championships shift to Mt Hutt on Monday for the final event of the National Championships, the Super G.

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.