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Media Conference - Beckie Scott Joins Canadian Cross-Country Skiers of All Ages to Launch New Initiative to Promote Growth of Sport

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

OLYMPIC GOLD-MEDALLIST BECKIE SCOTT TO LEAD CANADIAN CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RELAY OF ALL AGES IN CALGARY

—Event launches new development initiative designed to promote growth of sport—

CALGARY—Two-time Olympic medallist, Beckie Scott, will join a dozen of Canada’s high-performance cross-country skiers, from the grassroots to World Cup level, during a media conference to officially announce a new corporate partnership that will help create a healthier and more active Canada, while ensuring the success of the nation’s cross-country skiers on the international stage continues well into the future.

Scott, Canada’s most famous cross-country skier, will participate in a relay race with current World Cup athletes, aspiring Olympians, and Cross Country Canada’s newest team member to commemorate the new initiative that will unfold the national body’s strategic long-term athlete development model.

The media conference and relay will begin on the Nordic trails beside CODA’s Executive Offices near the main parking lot at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Friday, January 9, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.

WHO: Beckie Scott, Two-time Olympic Medallist

Drew Goldsack, Olympian and World Cup Ski Team

Amanda Ammar, Olympian and Senior Development Team

Brent McMurtry, Senior Development Team

Athletes – Foothills Nordic Ski Club

Geir Jøssang, Statoil Hydro

Al Maddox – Cross Country Canada


WHEN: Friday, January 9, 2009

11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Canada Olympic Park – Calgary

Nordic trails beside CODA Executive Offices

(Media are encouraged to meet at CODA offices and will be led to event area)

*****

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Cross Country Canada
T: 281-703-4394

TOP RANKED VOLLEYBALL TEAMS IN CANADA HEAD TO OSHAWA FOR THE 2009 DC KILLER INSTINCT CUP

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College is set to host some of the nation’s top collegiate female volleyball teams at the 21st annual Killer Instinct Cup from January 9-10, 2009.

The tournament will serve off the new year of OCAA women’s volleyball, with play set to commence at noon on Friday, January 9 at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Centre (CRWC) in Oshawa, Ont. Play will continue through Saturday, January 10 with the championship final scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The Lords will have to be on the top of their game if they hope to win this year’s edition of the tournament as the defending champion Mohawk Mountaineers return to defend their title. Last year, Mohawk only dropped one set enroute to the victory. This season, the Mountaineers are 8-3 in conference play and is third in the provincial rankings.

The top-ranked and undefeated Humber Hawks also look to take a run at the title, which they last won in 2006. Humber is 10-0 this season, dominating opponents having not lost a single set. Lionel Groulx and Bois de Boulogne of Quebec will also be making the road trip for the tournament. The Quebec powerhouses are both national contenders as Lionel Groulx is ranked seventh in the country while Bois-de-Boulogne is 12th.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Durham College women’s volleyball tournament, and the ninth year in its current format. Over the last nine years, the Lords made their only championship appearance in 2003-04, where they went on to defeat the Cambrian Golden Shield 2-1 to win the cup. This year, they look to change their luck as they enter play on a six game conference winning streak.

The DC Killer Instinct Cup has become highly regarded in the volleyball community and is one of the biggest and most anticipated invitational tournaments on the CCAA sports calendar. It will be a great preview for the OCAA Provincial Championships, scheduled to take place at Durham College from February 27-28, 2009.


PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Pool A
Humber Hawks (Etobicoke, Ont.)
Lionel Groulx Nordiques (Ste-Thérèse, PQ)
Sheridan Bruins (Oakville, Ont.)
Mohawk Mountaineers (Hamilton, Ont.)
Georgian Grizzlies (Barrie, Ont.)
Seneca Sting (North York, Ont.)

Pool B
Durham Lords (Oshawa, Ont.)
Bois-de-Boulogne Cavaliers (Montreal, PQ)
St. Clair Saints (Windsor, Ont.)
Loyalist Lancers (Belleville, Ont.)
Niagara Knights (Welland, Ont.)
Canadore Panthers (North Bay, Ont.)

TOURNAMENT WEBSITE
www.durhamlords.com/tournaments/wvb-killer.htm

PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE
Semi-Finals
3 p.m.

Consolation Games
4 p.m.

Championship Game:
5:30 p.m.

* All matches in play-offs are best 2 out of 3.
**All pool play matches are 2 sets.
***Awards presentations after final match.
****All games to take place in gyms one and two at the CRWC

PAST RESULTS
2007-08 - Mohawk defeated Fanshawe 2-0
2006-07 - Nipissing defeated Humber 2-0
2005-06 - Humber defeated Mohawk 2-1
2004-05 - No winner declared - Snowed out (play suspended)
2003-04 - Durham defeated Cambrian 2-1
2002-03 - Humber defeated Cambrian 2-0
2001-02 - Ryerson defeated Humber 2-0
2000-01 - Humber defeated Algonquin 2-0

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca

CWHL Performance of the Week : Noémie Marin

3 January 2009 - Rookie Marin scores 10 points in Stars’ big 12-3 victory

For the third time this season, the CWHL Performance of the Week has highlighted the league’s single-game scoring mark. This time, Stars de Montréal rookie Noémie Marin scored 10 points in a 12-3 victory, thus erasing the three-week old record previously held by Mississauga’s Jennifer Botterill (seven points). Marin scored five goals and five assists - seven points on starter Jessica Moffat and three more on replacement Robyn Rittmaster. Marin also tied the single-game goal-scoring record set last month by Brampton’s Jayna Hefford.

For more information on the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, please visit www.cwhl.ca.


Previous weeks

3 January - Noémie Marin, Montréal
21 December – Kim St-Pierre, Montréal
11 December – Jennifer Botterill, Mississauga
6 December – Jayna Hefford, Brampton
30 November – Jana Harrigan, Burlington
22 November – Kim St-Pierre, Montréal
15 November – Caroline Ouellette, Montréal
8 November – Meagan Aarts, Vaughan
1 November – Meredith Ostrander, Brampton
26 October – Sabrina Harbec, Montréal
19 October – Caroline Ouellette, Montréal
11 October – Sabrina Harbec, Montréal
4 October – Laura Hosier, Brampton

GAGNON CONTINUES WIN STREAK AS CANADIANS SWEEP NOR-AM PODIUM

THORNBURY, ON (January 4, 2009) – Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC) led a Canadian sweep of the podium at today’s opening Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup giant slalom race at the Georgian Peaks Club near Thornbury, ON.

Gagnon, who has now won three Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup races in as many days, finished today’s GS with a winning two-run combined time of one minute 43.41 seconds.

“Once again it was an awesome day. I can’t ask for anything better. Things have been going really well for me these last couple days,” said Gagnon, who won Nor-Am slalom races at Craigleith Ski Club before the race series headed to Georgian Peaks.

Canada actually took the top four positions on the day with Emilie Desforges (Montréal, QC) finishing second in 1:43.56 and Larisa Yurkiw (Owen Sound, ON), racing to third place on her home hill in a time of 1:43.90. Shona Rubens (Canmore, AB) was fourth.

“It’s so good to have the team on the podium, it’s great for Canada,” Gagnon added.

As for the men, Robbie Dixon (Whistler, BC) led the way at today’s Nor-Am giant slalom race in Sunday River, USA. Dixon, who has been on the 13th at a World Cup downhill race in the past month, finished second today in a two-run time of 1:58.65. A Norwegian, Leif Kristian Haugen, won today’s GS race in 1:58.48 with American David Chodounsky finishing third.

The men’s Nor-Am event at Sunday River continues tomorrow with another GS followed by slalom races on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup event at Georgian Peaks concludes tomorrow with a ladies giant slalom.

Follow the Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup ski racing action with live timing: http://www.canski.org/webconcepteur/web/alpine/en/service.prt?svcid=ALPINE_PAGE_GENERIQUE54&iddoc=78620.

THORNBURY, ON – JAN. 5, 2009 - NOR-AM SLALOM – LADIES

1 16 GAGNON Marie-Michele 989 CAN 52.46 50.95 1:43.41
2 4 DESFORGES Emilie 1983 CAN 52.04 51.52 1:43.56
3 2 YURKIW Larisa 1988 CAN 52.83 51.07 1:43.90
4 3 RUBENS Shona 1986 CAN 52.93 51.44 1:44.37
5 10 MIELKE Kristen 1982 USA 53.30 51.74 1:45.04
6 9 COOPER Kirsten 1988 USA 53.09 52.23 1:45.32
7 6 STAPLES Kiley 1989 USA 53.08 52.25 1:45.33
8 15 FORD Julia 1990 USA 53.26 52.14 1:45.40
9 14 MIELZYNSKI Erin 1990 CAN 53.58 52.01 1:45.59
10 1 SIMMERLING Georgia 1989 CAN 53.44 52.37 1:45.81

COMPLETE RESULTS: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=AL&raceid=56955

SUNDAY RIVER, USA – JAN. 5, 2009 – NOR-AM SLALOM – MEN’S

1 10 HAUGEN Leif Kristian 1987 NOR 59.67 58.81 1:58.48
2 17 DIXON Robbie 1985 CAN 1:00.49 58.18 1:58.67
3 29 CHODOUNSKY David 1984 USA 1:00.76 58.71 1:59.47
4 22 BRENNA Petter 1986 NOR 1:00.72 58.87 1:59.59
5 6 NICKERSON Warner 1981 USA 1:00.79 59.10 1:59.89
6 41 SEMPLE Ryan 1982 CAN 1:00.77 59.19 1:59.96
7 26 GREGORAK Will 1990 USA 1:01.19 59.07 2:00.26
8 36 PIETILAE HOLMNER Johan 1991 SWE 1:01.85 58.45 2:00.30
9 5 SPENCER Dane 1977 USA 1:01.27 59.04 2:00.31
10 7 FORD Tommy 1989 USA 1:01.72 58.63 2:00.35


COMPLETE RESULTS: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=AL&competitorid=13757&raceid=55254

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST FUNDS COUPE NOR-AM CUP
The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup Series, sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS), is the key stepping stone for Canadian and American athletes as they prepare for World Cup and Olympic competition. The highest level ski racing series in North America, the Canadian events of Coupe Nor-Am Cup circuit are presented by Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. For more information on Northwest and Ethical Investments, please visit www.ethicalfunds.com

“Relentlessly Pursuing Excellence”


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INFORMATION:
Kyle Marr
Director of PR & Media Communications /
Directeur, RP et médias communication
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel: (403) 777-3204
TELUS: (403) 860-0665
kmarr@canski.org
www.canski.org

Teibert, Lam-Feist named Canadian U-17 Players of the Year

Canadian teenagers Russell Teibert and Monica Lam-Feist have been named Canadian U-17 Players of the Year for the 2008 soccer season. The two stars were honoured in a vote shared by national-team coaches (50%) and Canadian coaches who have taken the Canadian Soccer Association’s national course at the B and A levels (50%).

Teibert is a member of the BMO Financial Group - Canadian men’s U-17 team. He took part in the Canadian team’s first camp in November as the team began preparations for the 2009 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship. He started the 2008 season as a member of the Canadian Soccer Association’s National Training Centre in Ontario, but also played briefly for TFC Academy’s U-16 side. In August, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program; in December, he traveled with the Whitecaps FC Residency squad to Japan.

The Niagara Falls midfielder also won a silver medal at the 2008 BMO National Championships All Stars in Brossard, QC. At the Canadian U-17 camp in Mexico, he scored one goal and one assist in four games against local club teams. He even wore the captain’s arm band for part of the trip.

As for Lam-Feist, she is now a two-time winner of the Canadian U-17 Player of the Year award. She actually only spent part of her season with the Canadian women’s U-17 team (whose title sponsor is BMO Financial Group) as she spent most of it one level up with the women’s U-20 team (whose title sponsor is Winners). In June, she helped Canada win the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in Puebla, Mexico. She scored in each of the two opening matches. In September, she helped Canada with the Torneo 4-Naciones in Melipilla, Chile. In November, she scored two goals for Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008.

The Surrey, BC forward also got to play briefly with the national team, taking part in the team’s trip to China in January for the Four Nations Tournament. While she did not feature, she was the youngest player called into the national team this past season.

Tomorrow, the Canadian Soccer Association will announce the Canadian U-20 Players of the Year. The 2008 adidas Canadian Players of the Year will be announced later this week.

For more information please contact:
Richard Scott - 613.237.4580 x237 / 613.818.0305

COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF SKI RACING

BROMONT, QC (January 5, 2009) – The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup season kicks off this Thursday as the national ski racing series celebrates 40 years of providing amateur skiers with essential competitive experience on the road to World Cup and Olympic Winter Games competition.

The 2008-09 Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup season includes a total of 39 races in three provinces across Canada, beginning in Bromont, QC with a ladies slalom race on Thursday.

“General Motors of Canada strongly supports the development of up-and-coming young ski racers and in partnership with Alpine Canada Alpin, created the Pontiac GMC Cup series to help those Canadian athletes to be amongst the best in the world,” said Fred Lautenschlager, sponsorship manager at GM of Canada.

GM of Canada is the title sponsor of the Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships taking place March 19 to 25 in Le Massif and Mont Sainte-Anne, QC where high-potential young athletes from across Canada compete head-to-head against athletes from the Canadian Alpine Ski Team in speed and technical events.

The Pontiac GMC Canadian J1 Championships, bringing Canada’s top 15 and 16-year-old ski racers to Whistler, BC to determine national champions for that age group, will provide an additional 12 races this season.

“GM of Canada’s ongoing commitment to develop the highest quality ski racing programs for 40 years now has been an instrumental part of our current success and our goal is to continue building on the momentum they have helped create,” said ACA President Gary Allan.

“GM of Canada is involved in a number of successful and innovative partnerships, from title sponsor of more than 51 ski races in Canada this season, to the use of the GM Wind Tunnel by our athletes, to the athlete vehicle program that provides our best performers with GM vehicles for one year,” said Allan.

The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup is a developmental ski racing program sanctioned by Alpine Canada Alpin and the International Ski Federation (FIS).

The series is the brain-child of Olympic Champion Nancy Greene Raine, who approached General Motors 41 years ago with the concept of creating a strong domestic series for up-and-coming Canadian alpine racers to compete with the best across the country. GM of Canada has a rich history as a benefactor to communities and to amateur support. Thus, the original Pontiac Cup series was launched, and out of it came some of Canada’s best alpine racers including Kathy Kreiner, Gerry Sorensen, Laurie Graham, Karen Percy, and the Crazy Canucks.

The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup was won last season by BenjaminThomsen of British Columbia and Ontario’s Erin Mielzynski.

OFFICAL COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP WEBSITE
JOIN THE COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP FACEBOOK PAGE

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (subject to change)
COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP
* 08/01/09 – Ladies SL – Bromont, QC
* 09/01/09 – Ladies SL – Bromont, QC
* 11/01/09 – Men’s SL – Bromont, QC
* 12/01/09 – Men’s SL – Bromont, QC
12/01/09 – Ladies GS – Orford, QC
13/01/09 – Men’s GS – Orford, QC
14/01/09 – Men’s GS – Orford, QC
15/01/09 – Ladies GS – Orford, QC
08/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies GS – Mt. Norquay, AB
09/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies GS – Mt. Norquay, AB
10/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Mt. Norquay, AB
11/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Mt. Norquay, AB
20/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Camp Fortune, QC
21/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Camp Fortune, QC
23/02/09 – Men’s/ Ladies GS – Georgian Peaks, ON
24/02/09 – Men’s/Ladies GS – Georgian Peaks, ON

* For live audio and video of the Pontiac GMC Cup races from Bromont, QC - ttp://www.ustream.tv/channel/coupe-pontiac-bromont-2009

PONTIAC GMC CANADIAN J1 CHAMPIONSHIPS
28/02/09 – Ladies GS – Whistler, BC
01/03/09 – Men’s GS – Whistler, BC
02/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Whistler, BC
03/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Whistler, BC
04/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SL – Whistler, BC

PONTIAC GMC CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
19/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies DH – Le Massif, QC
20/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies DH – Le Massif, QC
21/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Le Massif, QC
& Ladies GS – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC
22/03/09 – Men’s/Ladies SG/SC – Le Massif, QC
& Men’s GS – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC
23/03/09 – Men SL – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC
24/03/09 – Ladies SL – Mont Sainte-Anne, QC


ABOUT THE COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP
The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup, which is celebrating 40 years of providing amateur ski racers in Canada with essential competitive experience in 2008/09, is a developmental ski racing program sanctioned by Alpine Canada Alpin and the International Ski Federation (FIS). The series includes 39 races in three provinces this season culminating with the Coupe Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships from March 19 to March 25 in Le Massif and Mont Sainte-Anne, QC. For more information, click on the official Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup website of join the Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup Facebook page.

“Relentlessly Pursuing Excellence”

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INFORMATION:

Janice Avon
Coupe Pontiac GMC
(604) 318-1081
Janice.Avon@MacLaren.com

Kyle Marr
Director of PR & Media Communications /
Directeur, RP et médias communication
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel: (403) 777-3204
TELUS: (403) 860-0665
kmarr@canski.org
www.canski.org

Floorball Canada News

Jan 5, 2009 8:53 AM posted by Greg Beaudin

The Following Players have been been selected to represent Team Canada this upcoming May in Turku/Raiso Finland at the 2009 U19 World Floorball Championships:
Thank-You to everyone who applied to make the team and Congratulations to the 20 players who are going to Finland in May!


http://sites.google.com/a/teamcanadafloorball.com/mediablog/NEWS/floorballcanadaselectsu19nationalteam

No.1-McGill trounces Toronto to take tourney

MONTREAL – Marie-Andrée Leclerc-Auger, a freshman from Sherbrooke, Que., netted a hat-trick and added a pair of assists as No.1-ranked McGill trounced Toronto 9-0, Sunday, to capture the Theresa Humes women’s hockey tournament – for the third consecutive year – at Concordia University’s Ed Meagher arena.

The Martlets, who outscored their opponents 21-2 over the weekend, extended their win streak to 36 straight games against Canadian university opponents.

The victory over the nation’s No.8-ranked team improved McGill’s record to 9-0 against teams that been listed in the CIS Top 10 this season, outscoring those squads by a lopsided 62-12 margin.

Vanessa Davidson, a senior from Kirkland, Que., tallied twice and added a pair of helpers. She finished the three-game tourney with nine points, including five goals, and received the tournament’s most outstanding forward award.

Charline Labonté of Boisbriand, Que., made 24 saves to register her 46th shutout in 98 career games. She turned aside 52 of 54 shots in three contests to earn the tourney’s top goaltending honours.

Also scoring for McGill, which outshot the Varsity Blues 42-24, was Dorval, Que., native Caroline Hill, plus Alessandra Lind-Kenny of Calgary, Alyssa Cecere of Brossard, Que., and defender Jasmine Sheehan of Mississauga.

The tournament was a bit of a coming-out party for McGill sophomore Cathy Chartrand, a native of Lac Nominingue, Que. The 5-foot-10 blueliner, a former member of the Canadian national team, was credited with four assists in the game and led all rearguards over the weekend with eight points, including three markers, but was overlooked in the voting for the tourney’s most outstanding defenceman. That honour went to U of T captain Lyndsey Ryan, who had a pair of assists, and appeared to have a somewhat sheepish look on her face when she skated out to receive her award at centre ice.

“It was disappointing to see Chartrand overlooked,” said McGill head coach Peter Smith, when asked how that could happen. “She was a dominant force from the first shift of the opening game to her final shift in the last game. We started out a little rusty as a team in Game 1 (of the tournament) but there was no rust on her.”

Chartrand, a physical education sophomore with a booming slapshot, was also strangely overlooked by the conference coaches in the all-star voting last year. She is easily among the elite blueliners in the country and is currently the fourth-leading scorer on the team with nine goals and 29 points in 21 games overall.

McGill resumes regular-season play on Jan. 10 when they travel to the nation’s capital to play Carleton.

MARTLET MURMURS: McGill is 18-0 against CIS teams and 21-2 overall, including a 3-2 record versus NCAA teams… Forward Ann-Sophie Bettez and defenceman Catherine Ward – both of whom earned CIS rookie of the year honours over the past two seasons — were missing from McGill’s lineup over the weekend in order to play with the Canadian under-22 team currently at the MLP Nations Cup tournament in Ravensburg, Germany. Bettez scored once and added a helper in Canada’s 11-0 win over Russia on Sunday. She also set up Ward for a goal in Canada’s 3-0 win over Finland in the tourney opener last Friday. Ward also tallied in a pre-tourney exhibition win against Switzerland.


SCORING SUMMARY

Toronto 0 vs. McGill 9

(Jan 4, 2009 - Ed Meagher Arena @ Concordia)

FIRST PERIOD
Scoring -
1. McGill, Jasmine Sheehan (3) (J. Casavecchia, C. Chartrand) 2:31
2. McGill, Vanessa Davidson (24) (C. Chartrand, M.A. Leclerc-Auger) 16:01
3. McGill, Caroline Hill (6) (S. Tardif, A. Soberano) 16:54
4. McGill, Marie-Andrée Leclerc-Auger (24) (V. Wells, V. Davidson) 19:08

Penalties -
M.A. Leclerc-Auger Mcg (interference) 2:45

SECOND PERIOD
Scoring -
5. McGill, Marie-Andrée Leclerc-Auger (25) (C. Chartrand, J. Sheehan) 3:53
6. McGill, Alyssa Cecere (6) (J. Sheehan, C. Chartrand) 7:40 (PP)

Penalties -
A. Del Guidice Tor (hooking) 7:24,
L. Hill Tor (holding) 8:22,
M.A. Leclerc-Auger Mcg (tripping) 10:58,
S. Stephen Tor (tripping) 17:31,
L. Hill Tor (bodychecking) 18:14

THIRD PERIOD
Scoring -
7. McGill, Vanessa Davidson (25) (M.A. Leclerc-Auger, V. Wells) 0:41
8. McGill, Alessandra Lind-Kenny (7) (J. Peroff, R. Martindale) 1:50
9. McGill, Marie-Andrée Leclerc-Auger (26) (V. Wells, V. Davidson) 11:59 (PP)

Penalties -
S. Tardif Mcg (hooking) 2:59,
A. Cecere Mcg (interference) 5:48,
A. Del Guidice Tor (interference) 7:19,
A. Cornell Tor (interference) 10:36,
S. Rabinovich Mcg (hooking) 15:22,
V. Wells Mcg (roughing) 15:43,
A. Fawns Tor (bodychecking) 17:58

SHOTS BY PERIOD:
TOR: 10 9 5 — 24
McG: 16 15 11 — 42

GOALS BY PERIOD:
TOR: 0 0 0 — 0
McG: 4 2 3 — 9

POWER PLAY CONVERSION:
TOR: 0-6.
McG: 2-7.

PENALTIES (No./Mins.):
TOR: 7-14.
McG: 6-12.

GOALTENDERS:
Toronto
Kendyl Valenta [L, 2-1-0] Start, 20:00; SV: 12, GA: 4
Mima Markicevic, 40:00, SV: 21, GA: 5
McGill
Charline Labonté [W, 16-2-0], 60:00, SV: 24, GA: 0, SHO

Start : 4:15 PM
End : 6:05 PM
Attendance : 200
Referee: Stephanie Normand

THREE STARS:
———————
1. MCG- 22 Marie-Andrée Leclerc-Auger
2. MCG - 8 Cathy Chartrand
3. MCG - 25 Vanessa Davidson

McGILL LINEUP SCRATCHES:
—————————————–
F: Ann-Sophie Bettez (with national U22 team)
D: Catherine Ward (with national U22 team)
G: Kalie Townsend
G: Gabrielle Smith (dressed but DNP)

SOURCE
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
McGill University Dept. of Athletics
475 Pine Ave. W.,
Montreal, Que. H2W 1S4
(514) 398-7012 (phone)
(514) 398-1956 (fax)
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
www.athletics.mcgill.ca

MARIE-MICHÈLE GAGNON SWEEPS LADIES NOR-AM SLALOM RACES IN COLLINGWOOD

COLLINGWOOD, ON (January 4, 2009) – Marie-Michèle Gagnon (Lac-Etchemin, QC) made it two consecutive wins and Eve Routhier (Sherbrooke, QC) was on the podium again at today’s Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup slalom race at Craigleith Ski Club near Collingwood, ON.

Gagnon, who won the first Nor-Am slalom race of her ski racing career yesterday, moved up from third place after today’s opening run to finish with a winning two-run combined time of one minute 28.95 seconds.

“I don’t mind it,” said Gagnon about having to come from behind to win. “Today was a good challenge for me, being in third place after the first run. It was a challenge to catch the other girls, and I like that.”

Today’s result makes it four straight races with a win for Gagnon who won two FIS giant slalom races in Switzerland in December.

American Sterling Grant, who led after the opening run, finished second in a time of 1:29.11 while Routhier was on the podium for the second time in as many days, finishing in 1:29.82.

The Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup now shifts to Georgian Peaks, ON for ladies giant slalom races Monday and Tuesday. The men’s Nor-Am schedule this week has slalom and giant slalom races in Sunday River, USA starting Monday.

Follow the Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup ski racing action with live timing.

COLLINGWOOD, ON – JAN. 4, 2009 - NOR-AM SLALOM – LADIES
(Unofficial results)
1 6 GAGNON Marie-Michele 44.76 44.19 1.28.95
2 5 GRANT Sterling 44.53 44.58 1.29.11
3 7 ROUTHIER Eve 44.68 45.14 1.29.82
4 1 STAPLES Kiley 44.89 45.10 1.29.99
5 3 RYLEY Megan 45.08 45.21 1.30.29
6 12 RYLEY Kate 45.40 45.30 1.30.70
7 14 PREFONTAINE Marie-Pier 45.61 45.09 1.30.70
8 11 HANAOKA Moe 45.18 45.55 1.30.73
9 16 YURKIW Larisa 45.73 45.16 1.30.89
10 2 RUBENS Shona 45.50 45.52 1.31.02

COMPLETE RESULTS (Unofficial results)[http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=25905&cal_suchsector=AL]

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST FUNDS COUPE NOR-AM CUP
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Cipriani - advice from Callard.
CIPRIANI TOLD TO GRIDIRON OUT HIS FLAWS

England kicking coach Jon Callard believes Danny Cipriani needs to look towards American Football in a bid to eradicate the charge-downs which are blighting his game.

Cipriani, 21, had two attempted clearances blocked against Harlequins on Sunday, the second of which was charged down by Nick Evans and led to Wasps conceding a five-metre scrum and ultimately a penalty try.

Wasps won the game 24-18 but coach Shaun Edwards described it as a “real issue” and the trend is a growing concern for both club and country.

In seven England Tests, Cipriani has seen Italy, the Pacific Islanders and South Africa all score tries after successfully charging down his kicks.

England manager Martin Johnson warned after the November internationals that Cipriani will start being targeted unless the fault is rectified.

Edwards criticised Cipriani for being too slow in getting the ball away against Quins - he took three steps, allowing Evans time to close - and for not getting enough loft on his kick.

Callard, England’s technical kicking expert, wants Cipriani to adopt the method of the specialist kickers in the NFL.

“When you receive the ball on the back foot and under severe pressure, you need to have a snap and then to get the ball away within one pace, like they do in American Football,” said Callard.

“Some players like two or three steps to get into their kicking stride.

“If your confidence is sapped somewhat and you are struggling for a good connection, you would probably like to have a little bit more time on the ball to make a good contact. That could be an issue at the moment.

“The problems he had with England during the November internationals were partly because we were on the back foot and partly the time on the ball.

“It can be rectified. It is something I would certainly like to work with Danny on sorting out.”

Callard expects Cipriani’s confidence has been affected not only by the disappointing November international campaign but also the gruesome fractured dislocation of the right ankle he suffered in May.

“From my dealings with Danny during the autumn internationals, he did exceptionally well to get back from that ankle injury and that will have an impact on his kicking. It is a fact,” Callard continued.

“The joint needs time to warm up, he needs to get it fluid so he can get the sort of flexibility required for his plant foot.”