Magdalena Iljans of Sweden was able to find the hole shot and Poleschuk moved into second spot after McIvor got twisted out of the start and settled into 3rd. Tightly packed throughout the top of the course both Canadians looked for areas to pass when Poleschuk and leader, Iljans, got tangled, taking each other out of the heat and moving McIvor into 1st for the heat and moving her to the finals.

After getting tangled out of the start, McIvor found herself 3rd when Katharina Gutensohn (AUT) tried to make a pass on the inside, but McIvor held her line and Gutensohn took herself out. After a successful pass of Sasa Fabric (SLO), McIvor moved into second spot gaining ground on Marte Hoeie Gjefsen (NOR) right to the finish line but ran out of room and had to settle for second on the day.

“I used to be a little bit less aggressive than I am now but now I firmly hold my ground and if I’m getting pushed, I hold my arms out solidly so they don’t invade my space and they don’t affect my run. I’m always focused on what I need to do and trying to see the holes between the people so I can make the passes” said McIvor about the incidental contact on the course.

Poleschuk would finish the day in 6th spot after settling in behind world #1 Ophellie David in the small final and challenging her to the line. This is the best result of Poleschuk’s season and elevates her ranking in for Olympic Team qualification.

Brady Leman (Calgary, AB) had a strong day in the Men’s heats as he and teammate Stanley Hayer (Calgary, AB) advanced together from the Quarterfinals to the Semifinals where both got locked out of position and would have to settle for the small final. After another exciting heat Leman won the heat and took 5th place on the day, posting his best result of the season. Hayer finished 3rd in the heat and ended 7th on the day.

“I was pretty pleased with how things went today and obviously this is my best result in a while and I’ve given myself a pretty good chance to qualify for the Olympic team but I have to post another good race in Placid” said Leman.

Kelsey Serwa (Kelowna, BC) finished 9th on the day and Julia Murray (Whistler, BC) finished in 10th. Aleisha Cline (Squamish, BC) finished the day in 21st place.

Dave Duncan (London, ONT) now living in Golden finished in 9th spot, Chris Del Bosco (Sudbury, ONT) finished in 11th and Davey Barr (Squamish, BC) ended the day in 13th spot.

Next Race comes from Lake Placid, New York on January 24th, 2010