Canada’s James Crawford is a World Champion

Calgary, Alta. (February 9, 2023) — James ‘Jack’ Crawford (Toronto, ON) was golden today at the 2023 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Courchevel and Méribel, France. Crawford won today’s men’s super-G by just .01 of a second to become the sixth Canadian alpine skier to win a world championship.

Under a brilliant blue sky on the demanding l’Éclipse track in Courchevel, Crawford started 10th and raced to the lead through the shade and over the jumps of l’ Éclipse. Crawford then settled into the leaders chair as 46 other racers tried to beat his time.

This is Crawford’s third world championships, his seventh world championship start and his first world championship podium.

“I’ve been dreamed of standing at the top of a World Cup podium for a long time,” said Crawford. “It feels incredible to
make it there at a world championships. We had a good plan and I felt confident this morning. It took some of my best skiing on a line that was a little more risky but it panned out today and it was just enough to win. The best ski racers in the world are here and I’m happy to on their level today.”

“We have a great group of guys,” added Crawford. “We’ve all come up together and we’ve built a great environment, none of us would have the success we’ve had without the others.”

“An amazing and special day having Jack become a world champion in super-G,” said Men’s Speed Head Coach, John Kucera. “It’s been a lot of hard work and dedication from Jack, and also a tremendous effort put in from the entire team. All the coaches and other athletes helped make this happen. It’s super cool to have a world champion as part of the group. And hope it shows everybody what’s possible”

Canada placed three men in the top 11, with Brodie Seger (North Vancouver, BC) finishing ninth for his second top 10 at a world championships, and Jeffrey Read (Canmore, AB) racing to 11th. Broderick
Thompson (Whistler, BC) didn’t finish his run.

“It was a really strong team performance today,” added Kucera. “I’m really proud to see three guys in the top 11, including one on the top of the podium. That’s an amazing day anywhere, but it’s extra special to put that level of performance together at a world championships. It was incredibly tight racing, Jeff and Brodie were just a couple of tenths from the podium.”

Crawford’s next race is scheduled to be the men’s downhill on the l’Éclipse track on Sunday.

Championship racing continues on Friday February 10th with the women’s downhill and wraps up with the men’s slalom on Sunday February 19th.  For more information on the world championships, including the full schedule, please visit the FIS website at fis-ski.com.

CBC Sports will be providing extensive coverage of these world championships. To learn more, please visit CBC Sport at cbc.ca/sports/Olympics.

Follow Canada’s Ski Team this season on Alpine Canada’s website, across our social media accounts and
subscribe to our newsletter.

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For more information or media inquiries
please contact:

Mark Halliday
Alpine Canada
403 777 3204
media@alpinecanada.org

About Alpine Canada

Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance, and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration, and growth in the ski community.

 

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