FITZPATRICK OFF TO SKI NATIONALS

THUNDER BAY -- The Searchmont Ski Runners are guaranteed representation at this month's Canadian Juvenile Alpine Ski Championships.

Thirteen-year-old Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick qualified for the Canadians, which will be held in Collingwood, March 17-22.

Fitzpatrick used a strong performance in the giant slalom at the juvenile provincial championships here on the weekend to secure a berth on Team Ontario.

She was 11th in the first race and sixth in the second race. Facing extreme cold and icy conditions at Thunder Bay's Mount Baldy, Fitzpatrick struggled in the slalom events. She was disqualified in the opening race but rebounded to place a respectable 16th in the second slalom.

The venue switched to Loch Lomond for the giant slaloms where Fitzpatrick showed marked improvement.

In the two super giant slalom races, she had placings of 20th and 17th in a very tight field.

Fitzpatrick's final standing didn't quite live up to her expectations, but many of her opponents were 14 years of age and in the final year of their K2 eligibility.