LUCERNE, Switzerland — Adam Kunkel of Paisley, Ont., opened his season with a win in the 400-metre hurdles at a Grand Prix meet Thursday, while Gary Reed of Victoria raced to victory in the 800 metres.
Canadians Hillary Stellingwerf and Malindi Elmore finished second and third in the women's 1,500.
Kunkel won in 48.84 seconds, narrowly missing his Canadian hurdles record of 48.77.
"We are very happy with the result, opening the season in 48 seconds is world class," Kunkel's coach Kevin Tyler said from Edmonton. "As it was his first race Adam had some issues with his rhythm, this should clear up in one or two races then we will get a real idea of where he is at.
"This puts him in a very good position heading in to Pan Am Games."
South Africa's Pieter Koekemoen was second in 49.74, while teammate Okkert Cilliers was third in 50.00.
Reed easily won the 800 in one minute 45.61 seconds. Switzerland's Ueli Albert was second in 1:48.81, while teammate Adrian Wuest was third in 1:49.03.
Abbie Westley of Britain won the women's 1,500 in 4:09.38. Stellingwerf, from Edmonton, was second in 4:11.10, while Malindi Elmore of Kelowna, B.C., was third in 4:11.17.
