Panorama (BC), Canada (Thursday, March 16, 2006) - The next to last day of the CIBC Coupe Nor-Am Cup finals saw four Canadian and two American ski racers on the podium. Christina Lustenberger, from the home hill of Panorama Mountain Village, won the gold in the women’s giant slalom by a second, after strongly leading the pack after first run. Lustenberger scored the win in 1:56.46, competing in her first race in Canada since returning from the Olympics and World Cup GS in Norway.

“It sure is great to be home where I have so much support from my friends, family, the hill and the town," said Lustenberger, who is from the Windermere Valley Ski Club and was the last Canadian to qualify to compete in Turin. “My goal this season has been to stay healthy and motivated, so I am feeling very good as the season draws to an end and am very happy to have skied well today." Lustenberger's family owns the ‘Lusti’s Cup' coffee shop in Panorama.

Teammate Shona Rubens, who also competed in Turin, took silver in 1:57.47. Rubens finished 7th and 4th in the two slalom competitions this week in Panorama.

“After not skiing very week at the World Juniors last week I didn’t have too many expectations this week but I am very happy with these results. I have surprised myself a little," said Rubens, who was congratulating her teammate in the finish after their winning runs.

American Kaylin Richardson, winner of the first slalom, rounded out the top-three with the two run time of 1:57.60.

“Finishing 4th after first run I had some time to make up so I gave it my all and I am perfectly happy with the third place result," said Richardson. “I am happy for Lusti to win here at home, she is the queen of Panorama!”

On the men’s side, Marc Gini from Switzerland stole the men’s slalom victory in one minute, 50.80 seconds, after stepping up from 9th place in the first run. “I gave it full gas and it paid off!” said the 21 year old who had a 17th pace finish in the World Cup slalom in Japan earlier this month.

The silver medal was won by Banff’s Paul Stutz, who also clinched a gold in the Hunter Mountain Nor-Am slalom.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself this week," said Stutz, who is currently leading the overall Nor-Am slalom standings. “Ski racing is easy, you just need to be the fastest racer getting to the finish line and second run I skied to my ability. I know I can do more of the same tomorrow."

Pat Biggs (Orleans, ON) who lead the pack in the first run, slipped back to third to tie with USA’s Jimmy Cochran with the time of 1:51.32. Biggs, who is just back from Olympic competition and the World Cup circuit, is hoping to lower his World Cup slalom points to ensure him a better start position.

“I am disappointed with my second run where I obviously lost a lot of time, I need to refocus and find my rhythm for tomorrow," Biggs said after the race.

The Nor-Am Series is the key stepping stone for Canadian and American ski racers as they prepare for World Cup and Olympic competition. As the highest level ski racing series in North America, the Nor-Am event enjoys the participation of competitors in downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom.

Following the four-day race series, which ends Friday, the overall top two competitors in each individual event will be awarded the right to compete on the World Cup circuit next season in that specific event.

RESULTS – NOR-AM FINALS SLALOM – MEN – MAR. 16, 2006
1 (26) GINI Marc [SUI] - SR 0:54.53 0:56.27 1:50.80
2 (2) STUTZ Paul [CAN] - SR 0:53.90 0:57.19 1:51.09
3 (28) COCHRAN James [USA] - SR 0:54.02 0:57.30 1:51.32
4 (1) BIGGS Patrick [CAN] - SR 0:53.41 0:57.91 1:51.32
5 (6) BROWN Roger P [USA] - SR 0:53.81 0:57.55 1:51.36
6 (14) NICKERSON Warner C [USA] - SR 0:54.29 0:57.13 1:51.42
7 (7) ZAMANSKY Jake [USA] - SR 0:54.48 0:56.94 1:51.42
8 (18) KUCERA John [CAN] - SR 0:55.13 0:56.66 1:51.79
9 (24) ALBRECHT Kilian [AUT] - SR 0:55.29 0:56.69 1:51.98
10 (8) BARRETT Scott [CAN] - SR 0:53.96 0:58.02 1:51.98

RESULTS – NOR-AM FINALS GIANT SLALOM – WOMEN – MAR. 16, 2006
1 (1) LUSTENBERGER Christina [CAN] - SR 0:56.48 0:59.98 1:56.46
2 (17) RUBENS Shona [CAN] - J2 0:57.88 0:59.59 1:57.47
3 (20) RICHARDSON Kaylin L [USA] - SR 0:58.39 0:59.21 1:57.60
4 (3) MCJAMES Megan [USA] - J2 0:57.55 1:00.62 1:58.17
5 (19) ROSS Lauren [USA] - SR 0:58.64 0:59.95 1:58.59
6 (8) HITCHCOCK Katharine [USA] - SR 0:58.42 1:00.80 1:59.22
7 (4) PREFONTAINE Marie-Pier [CAN] - J2 0:59.22 1:00.16 1:59.38
8 (16) ARCHAMBAULT-LEGER Veronique [CAN] - J2 0:58.96 1:00.50 1:59.46
9 (11) MARSHALL Chelsea [USA] - J2 0:59.28 1:00.76 2:00.04
10 (22) MENDES Jonna [USA] - SR 0:59.81 1:00.39 2:00.20