Race win for Peter Whelan

Two South American Cup Ski Cross races took place in Chapelco, Argentina where British Ski Cross Team members Emily Sarsfield, 27 and Peter Whelan, 21 competed in a field which included members of the Canadian Olympic Ski Cross Team. Yesterday's race was postponed until today due to high winds, making the day a tough two-race day.

The races were the third and fourth of the 2011 season and in glorious sunshine and warm temperatures, Sarsfield finished 3rd and 4th in the ladies and Whelan finished 1st and 2nd in the men's. Both athletes carry over their strong finishes from the 2010 season where Sarsfield won the Val Thorens Ladies Ski Cross Europa Cup and Whelan finished 5th in the men's.

Since the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics Sarsfield has continued to improve race on race.

"To finish 3rd and 4th today in a field with Canadian Olympians (Kelsey) Serwa [5th in the Vancouver Winter Olympics] and (Danielle) Poleschuk [19th in the Vancouver Winter Olympic] is a great feeling particularly following on from my Europa Cup win in Val Thorens back in March.

"After such a difficult 2010 missing out on the Olympics, I can't wait for the start of the 2011 world cup season in December, but in the mean time I have a few things to work on which will improve my race technique."

Whelan broke into the British Ski Cross Team back in January and has continued to grow in stature since.

"It was an amazing day and a good start for the 2011 season beating Davey (Barr) [6th in the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games]. The results today have given me confidence for the upcoming world cup season." Peter said after the race. These results will lift Whelan up the World Rankings to around the 25 in the world mark.

The Ski Cross World Cup kicks off on 18th December in Innichen / San Candido Italy where Sarsfield and Whelan will be competing along with the rest of the British Team, Gus Morison, Sarah Sauvey and Craig Robinson.