Janyk, Halbert get Canadian downhill titles

Britt Janyk picked up her 14th Canadian national title by winning the women’s downhill at the GMC Canadian Championships in Nakiska, Alberta Saturday, (March 26). The men’s race gave Kelby Halbert his first national crown.
 
Janyk, of Whistler, B.C., received an ovation from the young racers gathered in the finish area as she completed a fast run of 59.41 seconds.
 
“It feels pretty good,” said Janyk, 30. “It’s obviously nice to come away with a win and to be here racing in Canada and enjoying the whole atmosphere.
 
“I don’t know a lot of the young girls but they know me and watch me race. It’s nice to know that they look up to me a little bit. I want to be here to give back to the sport and the program.”
 
Sarah Freeman, of Pincher Creek, Alta., picked up her first medal at the GMC Canadian Championships by sealing second place with a time of 1:00.30.
 
“It’s pretty cool. I was hoping for a podium – that was my goal,” said Freeman, 18, a member of the B.C. Ski Team. “At the bottom I caught an edge. My leg went away from me and I honestly thought I was going to slide through the finish line. I thought I’d blown it.”
 
Victoria Stevens, 21, of Mont-Tremblant, Que., was third in a time of 1:00.40.
 
“I’m really happy with the result,” said Stevens, a member of the Prospect Group. “It’s really cool that Britt is here. I got the chance to train with her a bit over the summer.”
 
On the men’s side, Halbert won in a time of 57.56 seconds. But the six-foot-eight skier from Bradford, Ont., wasn’t sure he’d done enough when he got to the bottom of the hill.
 
“I caught an edge on the landing after the jump and barely made the gate. I’m pretty happy it worked out,” said Halbert, 21. “The last two years I’ve been second, so it feels great.”

Tyler Nella, of Toronto, Ont., finished second in 57.97 seconds.
 
“It’s definitely a good way to end the year,” said Nella. “I think I just made less mistakes than everyone else and by that, I mean really little mistakes.”
 
Chris Frank, of the USA, was third in 58.04, followed by Calgary’s Jan Hudec (58.07) and Ben Thomsen, of Invermere, B.C. (58.08).
 
“I had a really good run,” said Hudec. “Kelby’s a faster glider – that’s all there is to it. Super-G will be my forte this week. No excuses – I will come out charging.”