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Hudec finishes second in World Cup super-G

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Calgary’s Jan Hudec earned his second World Cup podium of the month on Friday, finishing second in a super-G at Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

It was the fifth podium in the last five races for the Canadian men’s speed team and it was the first trip ever to a super-G podium for the 30-year-old Hudec.

“Thank goodness,” Hudec said in a release. “I’m glad I finally got one in super-G. It was a little bit bumpy when I went down but it really deteriorated for the guys. It was like plus-10 on the hill.”

Didier Cuche of Switzerland won the race with a time of one minute, 33.11 seconds. Hudec, wearing bib number six, took advantage of his early start time on the soft snow to finish in 1:33.27 to end up just ahead of Austria’s Benjamin Raich, who had a 1:33.32 clocking. Cuche started 20th and Raich 21st.

Erik Guay of Mont Tremblant, Que., was 13th Friday in 1:33.93. Jeffrey Frisch, another Mont Tremblant skier, finished 23rd in 1:34.94. It was his first World Cup top-30 since 2009.

Hudec’s finish added to a string of World Cup podiums that the Canadian men’s speed team has reached since Guay finished second in a downhill at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on Jan. 28.

Ben Thomsen of Invermere was second at the most recent downhill, a Feb. 11 race on the 2014 Olympic course at Sochi. The team didn’t make the top three in the Feb. 3 downhill at Chamonix, France, but came back a day later with a 1-3-5 finish by Hudec, Guay and Thomsen respectively.

“The streak is pretty awesome,” said Hudec. “We just need to keep the momentum going. The other guys who have been part of the streak are really disappointed today but Erik definitely knows he can be in there. I think he will be out to get one tomorrow.”

Crans-Montana will host another super-G on Saturday with a giant slalom to follow on Sunday.

“We’re keeping rolling,” added speed team head coach Johno McBride. “What’s the secret? More than anything it’s good energy and a sense of confidence. Guys are believing in what they are doing and believing in themselves.”

When Hudec finished he had a lead of 0.46 seconds. It appeared he might hang on and win but Cuche passed him.

“I had a feeling it wasn’t enough,” Hudec said of his run. “I was a little bit conservative at the bottom and I know that left a window for someone else. No one was really close to me at the top but if anyone can sneak in there, it’s Cuche.”

Dustin Cook of Lac Sainte Marie, Que., was 35th in 1:35.86, Louis-Pierre Helie of Berthierville, Que., was 45th in 1:36.84 andThomsen was 47th in 1:37.12. Thomsen started 68th.

“I think setup might have been an issue with Erik,” said McBride. “It turned out like spring mashed potatoes out there. I’m happy with Jeffrey. I told him he had to score here to go to Norway and he’s done that today.”

The World Cup moves to Kvitfjell, Norway, next weekend.

Friday’s race replaced a super-G that was cancelled at Kitzbuhel, Austria, earlier this season.



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