TWO skiers with ties to the North Shore helped Canada reclaim the Whistler Cup following a fierce three days of competition for some of the world's best under-16 racers.
Vancouver's Sam Mulligan, who trains with Grouse Mountain's Tyee Ski Club, claimed one gold and one bronze while North Vancouver's Riley Seger won silver and bronze as Canada's finished first in the team standings, ahead of Norway and Japan. Canada won the Cup four out of five years from 2007-11 but lost the title to Switzerland last year.
Seger and Mulligan helped Canada get out to a fast start on Friday when they finished second and third, respectively, in the opening Super-G race, completing a sweep of the medals with Toronto's Jack Crawford who took gold.
The following day Seger hit the podium again, winning bronze in slalom despite spinning backwards after nearly missing a gate on his second run. Seger posted the fastest time of the day on his first trip down and then held on just enough in his second to stay in the medals.
"It's a good feeling," the 15-year-old said in an Alpine Canada release. "My first run was really good. I was starting 24th, and I executed my plan well and then second run, I was just trying to contain the nerves. I was having a good run until I stopped and skied backwards for a gate, and then I kept going."
On the final day of racing it was Mulligan who took control, winning the giant slalom.
"Nothing feels better than to be on top of the podium. I'm very happy," said the 16-year-old, who posted the fastest time of the day on his first run and then did enough to get the win in his second. "I felt really good about my first run, I was solid and kept a good line and didn't make any big mistakes. I think how well I did in the first run was what helped me win the race. The second run was really rough and didn't feel good, but it was just good enough to take the win."
The Whistler Cup is a 21-year-old event that brings together hundreds of the best juvenile skiers from around the world. Teams of six - three boys and three girls - compete for the coveted Cup.
