Americans shine at Lake Louise Nor-Am downhill

American racer Alice McKennis opened the Nor-Am speed season yesterday with a win in the downhill at Lake Louise Canada. She was joined on the crowded podium by Canadians Georgia Simmerling and Kelly McBroom, who finished .02 seconds behind, to tie for second place. Julia Ford, another American, came in third.American racer Alice McKennis opened the Nor-Am speed season yesterday with a win in the downhill at Lake Louise Canada. She was joined on the crowded podium by Canadians Georgia Simmerling and Kelly McBroom, who finished .02 seconds behind, to tie for second place. Julia Ford, another American, came in third.

For the men, it was American Erik Fisher taking the top spot, followed by teammate Bryon Friedman, who finished 0.44 seconds behind. Louis-Pierre Hélie of Canada finished third. 
 
The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup continues today with another downhill for both men and women.
 
The Coupe Nor-Am Cup is a key stepping stone for North American racers with World Cup aspirations. The leaders of each discipline and the season’s overall champions automatically qualify for a World Cup position the following season.
 
LAKE LOUISE, AB – DEC. 10, 2008 – NOR-AM DOWNHILL – LADIES
1 8 MCKENNIS Alice USA 01:29.28
2 6 MCBROOM Kelly CAN 01:29.30
3 16 SIMMERLING Georgia CAN 01:29.30
4 10 FORD Julia USA 01:29.97
5 1 HITCHCOCK Katie USA 01:30.18
1 of 3 12/11/08 8:37 AM
6 23 DURHAM Ashley-Kate CAN 01:30.60
7 4 MOREL Catherine CAN 01:30.77
8 28 WHITNEY Victoria CAN 01:31.14
9 36 POLESCHUK Nicole CAN 01:31.24
10 7 LITTMAN Julia USA 01:31.32

LAKE LOUISE, AB – DEC. 10, 2008 – NOR-AM DOWNHILL – MEN
1 20 FISHER Erik USA 01:24.99
2 11 FRIEDMAN Bryon USA 01:25.43
3 8 HELIE Louis-Pierre CAN 01:25.81
4 9 BECKMANN Christopher USA 01:25.85
5 15 NELLA Tyler CAN 01:26.07
6 16 FRISCH Jeffrey CAN 01:26.26
7 6 LEMAN Brady CAN 01:26.6
8 10 SIROKI Tin CRO 01:26.66
9 18 FRANK Chris USA 01:26.86
10 12 SWEETSER Samuel USA 01:26.87