Emily Brydon’s (Fernie, BC) dream start to the 2009-2010 World Cup season continued today, capturing a podium result on consecutive days for the first time in her career.

Brydon placed third in today’s Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart ladies downhill, finishing in a time of one minute 50.76 seconds. Today’s result comes after 29-year-old Brydon placed second in yesterday’s opening DH of the ladies season, her first career World Cup podium on home soil.

Brydon described yesterday’s performance as “a dream come true” and said today’s result added to that joy.

“I have been through the hard times, so I really appreciate (today’s result),” said Brydon of her ninth career World Cup podium result.

“I wanted to back up what I did yesterday. In this sport there is a lot of luck and I didn’t want yesterday to be considered as ‘lucky.’ So I just though I would go out there and do it again,” Brydon said.

“I didn’t know that I would be on the podium but I kept the same game plan on the hill, skied with my heart and I just tried my hardest. I’m really happy with it,” she said.

Lindsey Vonn won her second consecutive downhill race, and her seventh career DH victory in Lake Louise, completing the 3090m course at Lake Louise Ski Area in a winning time of 1:50.06. Germany’s Maria Riesch was also on the podium for a second straight day, this time grabbing second spot, 0.35s behind the winner.

It was another very solid day for the Canadian team, with Britt Janyk (Whistler, BC) again following closely behind the podium finishers. Janyk finished eighth today in a time of 1:51.54 with Kelly VanderBeek (Kitchener, ON) 13th and Larisa Yurkiw (Owen Sound, ON) finishing 16th, crossing the 1:51.94.

“This is great. Four girls on the top 16 and two podium in two days with Emily. This is really big for the team, it a huge motivator,” said VanderBeek.

“We worked so hard this summer. Last year we just had a lot of stuff just not coming together and in two days we’ve had more success than last season. So this is huge. The excitement with the team, the staff and everybody is growing and it’s really great to be part of,” VanderBeek said.

Georgia Simmerling (West Vancouver, BC) ended up in 39th spot with Shona Rubens (Canmore, AB) placing 51st.

“I am just looking at everyday is an opportunity, not looking to far ahead. Today was a really good step for me and now I am just trying to focus on Sunday,” said Yurkiw after the second best World Cup result of her career, behind only a ninth in the Tarvisio DH last season.

The 2009 Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart concludes tomorrow with the ladies super-G.

QUOTES FROM DOWNHILL #2
TOP 3
Lindsey Vonn ( USA) – 1st place
On winning twice in a row:
“It’s always difficult to win two events in a row, so I’m really happy with my results today. I have only done this one other time and it was in St. Anton a couple of years ago with a downhill and a super combined.”

“It’s especially hard in downhill to be consistently fast. You have to have fast skis and you have to execute your line and ski as fast as you can. That is what I did this weekend and I think it’s a great start for the season. It is given me a lot of confidence to go in the next few races and also for the Olympics.”

On the different weather conditions:
“Over the past couple of years we have races in almost every possible condition. We have had a lot of bad weather days and also some sunny days. But I know exactly what to do and that doesn’t change even though the weather may change.”

“It’s actually an advantage from me when the weather is not good, because a couple of the girls might get afraid. So it’s mentally an advantage. But other then that, it’s all about tactics, you have to go out there and ski your best.”

On her continuing success:
“I have had some success in my career and I’m really thankful for that. It is not easy to win races. I say this all the time, but I’m just out there doing the best I can and I am just thankful that I have been able to succeed and have a lot of wins.”

“It’s great having Maria and I on the podium. It’s seems like we are on the podium together almost every single weekend and that always makes it fun.”

Maria Reisch (GER) – 2nd place
On her race:
“My race today was a little bit better. Yesterday I had to fight more against the conditions because the visibility was not that great.

On her performance:
“I can’t surpass my limits like Lindsey can. But today I gave everything I had. I skied pretty well on the upper portion of the course but at the bottom I made a little mistake which cost me a little bit of time. I am really happy with my race today.”

Emily Brydon (CAN) 3rd place
On her run:
“The top section is a little bit challenging for me so I trained hard and I know I had to ski the rest well. It’s the same three girls on the podium so it’s pretty cool.”

On the Olympic year:
It was a huge step for me to make in my mind and it definitely plays a role. I just really wanted to enjoy this year I don’t want to have any regrets. There is no better time than now to have your moment why not enjoy it. I just worked really hard on dealing with pressure and stuff like that, so it’s a really good exercise for me.”

On her second podium in two days:
“Both of these days have been very different but very emotional. It makes me very happy. I think that yesterday was a huge step for me in my career. I went out of the start gate with the same game plan. I was still just as nervous this morning then I was yesterday. I realized that those are just race nerves and I think that is good to have.”

On the pressure of today’s race:
“Today was different. Yesterday there was so much emotion because I have waited so long for that. Today, I was just nervous about racing. It was just normal race nerves.”

“I went out there and did it for myself. It was reassuring that my game plan is working. If you can do a great result two days in a row it is a testament to your game plan and your pre-race prep and you have done all summer and the team.”

OTHER CANADIANS
Britt Janyk (8th place)
On her run:
We did three training runs on the top so I mean it’s a line that we are use too. It’s a colder day but the track is still in great shape and it was a good race.”

I skied quite well I think today. I had a really great run and I was racing for the top spot. Today I’m eighth. It’s still a great day and I’m happy the way I skied.”

On Emily’s second podium:
“It’s great for us to start the season this way. It’s incredible for Emily but also for our team because in training we are really close. One day it can be Emily and next day it can be Kelly or me so it’s a great way to start.”