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Alpine Skiing

Silver medalist Maria Pietilae-Holmner of Sweden, gold medalist Britt Janyk of Canada and bronze medalist Shona Rubens of Canada stand on the podium following the Women's Super G Alpine Skiing during day five of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 26, 2009 in Queenstown, New Zealand.<br>

Phil Walter/Getty Images

Janyk wins super-G in New Zealand

CTVOlympics.ca

Posted Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:09 PM ET

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Britt Janyk kicked off her Olympic season with a victory Wednesday at the New Zealand Winter Games, a non-World Cup event.

Janyk, who struggled last season and failed to finish in the top 10, crossed the line in the super G in 1 minute 4.74 seconds. Maria Pietilae-Holmner of Sweden was second in 1:04.98 and Janyk's teammate Shona Rubens was third in 1:05.01.

Sweden's Anja Paerson, an Olympic gold medallist and former world champion, did not finish.

The competition, in which a small number of countries are competing, coincides with the Canadian women's alpine team's training camp.

"This is the time that will define what kind of ski racer we will be when winter arrives," Kelly VanderBeek said in a recent interview. She placed seventh Wednesday, while Emily Brydon finished just off the podium in fourth.

In the men's event Wednesday, American Jake Zamansky won the event in 1:03.26. German Felix Neureuther was second in 1:03.64 and Olivier Jenot of Monaco was third in 1:03.73.

There were no Canadian men competing, as they are participating in dry land strength and conditioning training in Ottawa after training in New Zealand.

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