Spindleruv Myln, Czech Republic (Monday, December 20, 2004) - Today, two Canadian Alpine development ski racers, 22 year old Patrick Biggs from Orleans (ON) and 23 year old Paul Stutz of Banff (AB) shattered Saturday's Europa Cup slalom results from only two days earlier, their previous career best finishes. Biggs took home gold after leaving the start gate wearing bib number 38 and finishing with the victorious time of one minute, 32.87 seconds. Paul Stutz claimed silver with his one minute, 32.94 second, two run finish, only 7 one hundredths of a second behind Biggs.

World Cup, Canadian Alpine ski team coach, Urban Planinsek said, "It has been going really well for Biggs since the slalom in Pampeago where he took a gold and bronze medal. The athletes are really feeding off each other and the 'team' feeling after the exceptional weekend victory of Thomas in Italy as well the fantastic finish by J.P. All the Canadian men are skiing really well and the team seems to be really excited about each other's successes."

Urban explained that this is a particularly good finish for Biggs considering he was the 38th racer down the course and that he can credit his win to his excellent tactical approach during the second run. "When two solid runs are put together, anything is possible," admitted Urban.

Biggs took home a 36th place finish in Saturday's slalom and his first Europa Cup race, while Stutz cracked the top-5, with 5th place.

The men will race a 2nd slalom again tomorrow in the Czech Republic.

TOP-15
1 BIGGS Patrick CAN 48.06 44.81 1:32.87
2 STUTZ Paul CAN 48.11 44.83 1:32.94
3 GRANGE Jean-Baptiste FRA 48.53 44.68 1:33.21
3 OMMINGER Andreas AUT 48.76 44.45 1:33.21
5 BECHTER Patrick AUT 47.81 45.53 1:33.34
6 MORETTI Luca ITA 48.34 45.27 1:33.61
7 HARGIN Mattias SWE 48.06 45.57 1:33.63
8 LIZEROUX Julien FRA 47.85 45.81 1:33.66
9 MYHRE Lars NOR 48.06 45.74 1:33.80
10 ANSELMET Alexandre FRA 48.52 45.29 1:33.81
11 TIEZZA Luca ITA 49.40 44.43 1:33.83
12 FAESSLER Raphael SUI 48.88 45.02 1:33.90
13 FEINESTAM Alexander SWE 48.37 45.55 1:33.92
14 STRUGER Peter AUT 49.10 44.87 1:33.97
15 PAQUIN Pierre FRA 49.08 44.91 1:33.99