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5th August 2010

Racing against a strong international field, New Zealands Ben Griffin narrowly missed out on a podium spot at the Southern Lakes Cup Giant Slalom race at Coronet Peak Wednesday morning.

Southern Lakes Cup place winners from left Ben Griffin, NZE 4th, Ryan Semple, CAN 3rd, Robbie Dixon, CAN 1st and Tyler Nella, CAN 2nd at Coronet Peak, August 4th, 2010.                   Photo Michael Thomas

Canadians owned the podium, however, in a tale of two races as the first run was affected by local snow squalls before clearing skies greeted the racers for the second of two runs.

Robbie Dixon, CAN , in action as he wins the Southern Lakes Cup at Coronet Peak, August 4, 2010.              Photo Michael Thomas

Robbie Dixon, the favourite entering the race, showed great form in winning the Cup with a combined time of 1:40.83.  Teammate Tyler Nella took second in 1:41.25 and fellow Canadian Ryan Semple was third in 1:41.42.

Ben Griffin, the fastest New Zealander and 4th overall, competes in the Southern Lakes Cup at Coronet Peak, August 4, 2010.              Photo Michael Thomas

Griffins time of 1:41.69 was good enough for a tie for fourth with Canadian Manuel Osborne-Paradis.


Wednesday was a great confidence builder for Ben and a solid result, said Snow Sports New Zealand Alpine Manager James Lazor.


Queenstowns Tim Cafe was the next best Kiwi, finishing eighth in 1:42.50. Adam Barwood, fresh off a successful start to the season in the Wanaka Tech Series, finished 17th, followed by Willis Feasey (18th), Wilbur Coote (25th), Fraser McGlinn (27th) and Nick Pascoe (28th).


The race department at Coronet Peak did an amazing job preparing the course for the races today, added Lazor, especially considering the recent weather and the fact that it snowed during the first run.


The Southern Lakes Cup was calendared by the Canadians as their first race of the Southern Hemisphere season after two weeks of training in New Zealand leading up to the race.


Six countries participated in the Southern Lakes Cup, with a full field of international teams expected for the next scheduled FIS race, the Japanese FIS races, scheduled for 21 August, also at Coronet Peak.

For complete results from the Southern Lakes Cup, follow this link