ANC season complete

September 27th, 2006 - The Australia-New Zealand Continental Cup (ANC) series was completed at Whakapapa Ski Area on Mt Ruapehu (NZE) last week. Unfortunately, only the final slalom races could be held as the mountain was subject to unseasonably warm temperatures and high winds in the latter part of the week, preventing the running of the giant slalom finals.

The two slalom events were both won by Jono Brauer (AUS) and Claire Dautherives (FRA). Brauer also won the overall ANC ranking in a supreme fashion, followed by Demian Franzen (AUS) and Tim Cafй (NZE) in second and third places, respectively. In addition, Brauer took all the discipline rankings, with the exception of giant slalom where he still finished as the best regional skier while Thomas Lanning (USA) won the discipline standings. The ANC ladies' overall ranking was won by Pauline-Flor Socquet-Clerc of France before her team mate Claire Dautherives and the best ‘local', Sarah Jarvis (NZE). Socquet-Clerc also won all the discipline rankings.

The Mt Ruapehu races completed the highly successful ANC series of 2006, including the first super combined races. In fact, this season was the first time that ANC series winners have been announced in four disciplines during the Southern winter.

Strong performances at 2006 SAC

September 27th, 2006 - The 2006 South American Cup came to an end last week, with the giant slalom and slalom finals held at Cerro Catedral (ARG). The Simari Birkner siblings (ARG) again dominated the competitions: while Maria Belen was the strongest in both of the ladies' races, her brother Cristian Javier took the men's trophies.

In the overall SAC rankings, Cristian Javier Simari Birkner claimed the overall men's crown, as well as the discipline rankings in slalom and giant slalom. Pierre-Emmanuel Dalcin (FRA) became the men's SAC super-G champion, while Jorge Mandru (CHI) was the best regional athlete. In men's downhill, there were two ex-aequo winners: Eric Holmer (USA) and Adrien Theaux (FRA), with Maui Gayme (CHI) being the best ‘local' skier.

In the ladies' standings, Maria Belen Simari Birkner won before her sister Macarena. She also conquered the discipline rankings in slalom and giant slalom, and was the best regional athlete in the downhill standings which were won by Genevieve Simard of Canada. In ladies' super-G, the discipline title went to Noelle Barahona of Chile.

This year's SAC also included the first-ever super combined races staged in South America, held in Termas de Chillan (CHI) on 13th September. The Chillan speed races saw strong participation from numerous nations such as the entire French national A team including Turin Olympic Champion Antoine Deneriaz. The races also served as a serious test for the local organizers in Chillan who are highly motivated and currently applying to organize the Alpine Junior World Championships in 2010.

FIS