Are: Canada's Janyk gets comfortable in top 5

Canada’s Britt Janyk gave a not-so-silent challenge to her brother, Michael, on Tuesday when she tied for fourth in the women’s super G at the World Championships. “I set the bar, now he has to step up and beat it,” Janyk quipped.

 
ARE, Sweden — Canada’s Britt Janyk gave a not-so-subtle challenge to her brother, Michael, on Tuesday when she tied for fourth in the women’s super G at the World Championships.
    “I set the bar, now he has to step up and beat it,” Janyk quipped.
    Michael Janyk was second in the men’s slalom just two months ago in Beaver Creek and will race the slalom here next week.
    Britt Janyk, who started 18th, was in the hot seat Tuesday as the race leader through the next six women, until she got beat by eventual winner Anja Paerson, the Swedish favorite.
    “It was so nerve-wracking. I was shaking and my brother was there and he was squeezing me so tight,” Janyk said. “…To be fourth place and so close to the podium, it means I’m skiing well and it will come soon.”
    Janyk said she’s “very satisfied” with fourth place — and it shows. Last weekend in San Sicario, Italy, she was fourth in two different super G races.
    “I was happy and nervous this morning. It’s a big race,” Janyk said. “We sat around for a couple of days waiting on the weather. But once I got to the start gate I was relaxed.”
    The 26-year-old played volleyball and tried her hand at a downloaded crossword puzzle to pass the time and ease her nerves earlier this week. Janyk said even though she was nervous, she thought to herself that this big event is great training for 2010, when her country plays host to the  Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
    “[I realized] that’ll be the next biggest event I go to and that kind of calmed me down,” she said. “When it comes to putting it together, I can put it together.”
    Janyk’s teammate, Emily Brydon, finished a solid 13th in Tuesday’s super G and was happy with her results, considering this is her first year back in the speed races. Brydon also is looking forward to having a huge ski event on her home turf come 2010.
    “If anything, Anja [Paerson] just showed us about a hometown advantage,” she said.
    “Instead of being scared and intimidated, you just use it.”
    Brydon said Are reminds her a lot of Canada, especially the mentality here.
    “This event is a good [indication] and gives a good feeling of how it will be for us,” Brydon said.
    She also talks up the team. Brydon is the kind of athlete who, even though she competes in an individual sport, sees the importance of having and giving support to fellow racers.
    “Working as a team spreads out the pressure,” she said. “If we work off each other, it’s not about winning within ourselves — together it’s us beating the world.”