06.30.07 - BMX – Tim Hortons Nationals - Samantha Cools crashes in Bromont


Montreal, June 30, 2007 – Samantha Cools of Calgary, the heavy favourite in the women’s elite category at the Tim Hortons BMX Nationals cycling competition, crashed on the second turn Saturday to allow Danielle Brisson of B.C., to earn the title.

Cools, who won the BMX Golden State National in Prunedale, California earlier this year and is an Olympic medal hopeful for 2008, suffered a slight concussion on the mishap. Rosemary Adams of Alberta took the silver behind Brisson with Christine Miller of Alberta third.

‘’It’s a disappointment because everyone here came to see Samantha,’’ said Chantal Philie, the BMX technical director for the Quebec Cycling Federation.

The result doesn’t affect Cools’ national team status. All she needed to do was compete in order to assure herself a berth on the Canadian team for the world championships next month in Victoria.

In men’s competition, Scott Erwood of B.C., won the men’s Elite title with Patrick Lebel of Alberta second and Damian Lachance of Ontario third.

Nick Goertzen of B.C., first after qualifying, fell in the final on the second turn which allowed Erwood and Lebel to gain a sizeable lead.

‘’Goertzen’s fall broke the pack,’’ said Philie. ‘’Lebel took control with Scott as neither was affected by the fall. It came down to a race between the two of them.’’

In women’s junior competition, Kaila Sweeny of Alberta earned the gold with Layne Nyhaug of B.C., second and Jocelyne Rutko of Ontario third. In men’s junior competition, Jim Brown of Alberta, a silver medallist last month at the Victoria International, was first with Scott Bernacki second and Karsten Millman of Ontario third.

The cruiser events (24 inch tires) take place in Bromont on Sunday.