PANORAMA, BC, March 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Mac Marcoux of Sault Ste Marie, ON, guided by his brother BJ Marcoux, shaved a whopping four seconds off their Downhill (visually impaired) training run time to claim Canada's first gold at the 2015 IPC World Championship in Panorama, B.C.
This is the first time the Marcoux brothers have won on the World Championship and World Cup stage in their three years of racing together. Marcoux had incredible speed and technique, claiming first place in a time of 1:29.68. Mark Bathum from the U.S. was +2.21 seconds off the pace of Marcoux, finishing in second and Miroslav Haraus of Slovakia finished third (1:32.89).
"It's been a good day," expressed Mac Marcoux. "Experiencing this with BJ is awesome. Today is the first win above the Nor-Am level with BJ and it's the World Championships! The Downhill is now complete and such a great result has lifted a little weight off our shoulders, building our confidence leading into tomorrow's race."
Canada's 17-year-old Mac Marcoux has continued build upon his dream season. The Sochi 2014 Paralympic three-time medalist has landed on the podium a total of eight times thus far during the 2014-15 season – first place (five times), second place (once) and third place (twice), resulting in securing the coveted Crystal Globe and title: Overall World Cup athlete.
In a tribute to the race organizing committee (ROC), the athletes praised the fantastic and well prepared track conditions. The snow was hard and fast and there was great light, a perfect combination which some athletes claimed to be the best Downhill track they've ever skied on.
Five other skiers represented Canada on Wednesday. In the men's Downhill (Standing) Kirk Schornstein of Spruce Grove, AB finished seventh (1:34.31) and Braydon Luscombe of Duncan, BC finished ninth (1:34.94).
Kurt Oatway of Calgary, AB was gaining speed as he entered the second interval (in seventh place) and caught an edge, however with some 'cat-like' reflexes, he was able to recover and finished tenth in the men's Downhill (Sitting).
Erin Latimer, of Toronto ON and Alana Ramsay, Calgary AB of both raced in the women's Downhill (Standing). Latimer finished sixth (1:46.14) and Ramsay finished seventh with a time of 1:50.82.
The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championship will continue Thursday, March 5 at Panorama Mountain Resort with the Super-G starting at 11:00 a.m. All races will be streamed live on http://www.cbc.ca/sports/skiing.
The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships Live streaming schedule can be found at http://www.cbc.ca/sports/skiing.
High resolution video highlights are available daily to media at no cost at www.sendtonews.com.
Visit alpinecanada.org for full coverage and complete results of our para-alpine athletes and make sure to follow Canada's skiers on Twitter at @Alpine_Canada
ABOUT ALPINE CANADA ALPIN
Alpine Canada Alpin is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners and donor's along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medalists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community. To learn more, please visit alpinecanada.org
SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
Image with caption: "Panorama, BC (Wednesday, March 4, 2015) Mac Marcoux of Sault Ste Marie, ON, guided by his brother BJ Marcoux, shaved a whopping four seconds off their Downhill (visually impaired) training run time to claim Canada’s first gold at the 2015 IPC World Championship in Panorama, B.C. Photo: Roger Witney / Alpine Canada Alpin (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150304_C8646_PHOTO_EN_12850.jpg
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