WHATS UP: ALPINE CANADA LAUNCHES TOP 100 MOMENTS IN CANADIAN SKI RACING HISTORY, INVITES CANADIANS TO VOTE ON THEIR FAVOURITE
For one hundred years, alpine ski racing has created memorable moments for all Canadians, laying a rich foundation of history in sport. On December 20th, 2020 Alpine Canada along with partners Mackenzie Investments, Helly Hansen, Cold-FX, and Steam Whistle will launched a celebration 100 years in the making.
From Lucile Wheeler capturing Canadas first Olympic medal in alpine to Nancy Greenes stunning performances in the 1960s, the Crazy Canucks ruling Kitzbhel in the 1980s, to the Canadian Cowboys and Canadian domination of both Ski Cross and Para-Alpine disciplines, a lot has happened in one hundred years to capture the hearts and minds of Canadians.
Join us over the next two months as we unveil the top 100 moments, calling on Canadians from coast to coast to vote on their favourite Peak Moments and have a chance to win 1 in 4 exclusive prizes!
Voting begins December 22, 2020 at 9:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM MT and will be open until February 21, 2021
RACE ROUNDUP: CANADIAN SKI CROSS BRINGS THE HEAT TO END 2020
What a run for Team Canada this week!
The Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup season kicked off in Arosa, SUI last week and Canada got right to work with a host of podiums and personal best performances for Zach Belczyk, Antoinette Tansley, Hannah Schmidt, Zoe Chore, and Gavin Rowell. Reigning Crystal Globe winner Kevin Drury charged into third while team veteran Marielle Thompson punched in a second-place finish on the second day of racing.
The team then moved on to Val Thorens, FRA, and the podium success continued with two podium finishes each for Reece Howden and Marielle Thompson who on the first day of racing finished second and third respectively. On Monday morning they repeated the podium performances with a win for Reece and a third-place finish for Marielle. This is Reeces second World Cup win and the 44th podium of Marielles illustrious career.
Kevin Drury and Anntoinette Tansley both suffered leg injuries in the most recent race block, and both will return home to receive further care and support.
The Canadian Alpine Ski Team was in the start gate as well with races in Val dIsre, FRA, Val Gardena, and Alta Badia over the weekend and Madonna di Campiglio, ITA this morning.
Jack Crawford led the Canadian contingent of mens speed demons during the super G on Friday into the points in Val Gardena, ITA with a 27th place finish.
Marie-Michle Gagnon was on fire in Val dIsre on Saturday throwing down a career-best in the downhill, with a 10th spot finish.
Over in Alta Badia in a competitive field, Erik Read had the seventh-fastest second run of the day in Sundays giant slalom to finish in 19th spot. The next day, in the slalom, Erik started in 33rd and fought his way to a 16th place finish jumping 17 spots, only one second back from the leader, Ramon ZenHaeusern of Switzerland.
For the last race before the holidays the mens tech team moved on Madonna di Campiglio where Canadas best-ever result in the traditional slalom came December 2, 2005 when Thomas Grandi finished 4th. Erik Read and Simon Fournier didnt qualify for a second run while Trevor Philp didnt finish his first run.
Team Canada heads into the holidays with momentum and drive. Look for them to continue their push for the podium!
PEAK’A’BOO: ERIK READ NAVIGATES A WINDING ROAD TO SKI RACING EXCELLENCE
When Paul McCartney wrote the The Long and Winding Road he described an indirect path towards the unattainable.
Its too bad the Beatles music legend hadnt met Erik Read.
When the Banff-raised 29-year-old scored his second-consecutive top-10 GS finish of the season in Santa Caterina last week also setting the fastest second-run time in Saturdays race there was a realization that his winding path to the World Cup podium is closing in. Attainable, most certainly.
COAST-TO-COAST: B.C. SKI TEAM Q&A WITH ASHER JORDAN
The B.C. Ski Team sat down with Asher Jordan of the Canadian Alpine Ski Teams. Asher tore his ACL during a NorAm race in New Jersey last year. Since then, hes worked hard to get back on snow and to continue to progress!
WHATS NEXT: SEE YA 2020 BRING IT ON 2021
Mens Speed: With two weekends of races in the books the mens speed team is ready to continue their time in Italy with a move to Bormio. This venue has proven to be friendly to Canadians in the past with Manuel Osborne-Paradis finishing the downhill in 10th in 2017 and Ben Thomsen finishing in 12th last year. Jeff Read looks to lead the Canadian contingent and stay in the points after a career first top-30 finish in Val dIsre in mid-December.
Womens Tech: After a few weeks back in Canada the womens tech team is ready to hit the ground running in Semmering, AUT. The giant slalom and slalom races will happen right after the holiday break and the Canadian Ski Team has historically performed well on this course. In 2018 Laurence St-Germain finished in 10th while Erin Mielzynski finished in 11th. With a host of top 15 finishes for Laurence and Erin this season, they look to lead the team to the top before the year ends.
As we ring in 2021 the women will move to Zagreb, CRO, for the annual slalom race. Laurence finished in 11th on this course last year while Amelia Smart had a career-best 17th place finish. Look for the women to kick the year off on the right foot.
???? Check our website on Wednesday, December 23 for a preview of this weekends races.