Calgary, Alta. (March 14, 2023) – Olympic gold medalist Brady Leman announced today that he is retiring from ski cross racing after 15 years on Canada’s national team. Leman’s last races will be this weekend at the 2023 World Cup Finals, on Canadian snow, in Collingwood, Ontario.

Leman joined Canada’s national team in 2008, represented Canada at three Olympics, winning gold at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea, where he was the first Canadian man to win an Olympic ski cross medal.

“I am thankful for all that ski racing has shown me,” said a smiling Leman. “There’s been so much change in ski cross from when I started to today. I guess I’ve been doing this a long time, but the thrill of racing, and winning, never got old. There are so many people that played a role in supporting me, my family, friends, sponsors, teammates and coaches. I hope they all know how much I appreciate their support. And the biggest thank you of all goes to my parents who lit the spark that fueled this amazing ride.”

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Leman began ski racing with Calgary Alpine Racing Club and early on established a relationship with Lake Louise that has lasted his entire racing career. Leman’s longevity and ability to reinvent himself is exemplified across his 15 year national team career and in his 142 World Cup starts, third most ever, his 31 World Cup podiums, second most ever, and his five World Cup wins, including three consecutive wins at Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario.

Leman retires with seven world championship starts, where he accumulated four top 10’s and won a silver medal in 2019 at the world championships in Solitude (Utah, USA).

“It is never easy when an athlete retires,” said Ski Cross Head Coach Stanley Hayer. “I think for me, Brady’s retirement is going to be much more emotional. We spent a few years racing as teammates and the last eight years as coach and athlete. The experiences that we had together are unforgettable, both on and off the hill. His results speak for themselves and his contributions to our sport will be difficult to match”

“The best thing,” added Hayer “is that Brady has decided to retire on his own terms which is rare in any sport. I will forever be grateful that I am able to call him my teammate and my friend.”

Considered a true ski racer, Leman also topped the podium at the 2016 X Games winning gold and was part of the legendary 2010 X Games Canadian podium sweep where he won the bronze medal.

“I am so fortunate to have lived these experiences,” added Leman. “The successes were rewarding, but I will most remember the time with my teammates whether training, competing, or just hanging out. Those memories will always bring a smile to my face and are probably what I’m going to miss the most about ski racing.”

Career Highlights: (as of March 12, 2023)

Olympic Winter Games

3 Olympic Winter Games: Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022
3 Olympic Winter Games starts
Gold PyeongChang 2018 

FIS Alpine World Ski Cross Championships

7 World Championships
5 top 10’s
Silver medal in Solitude (Utah, USA) 

FIS World Cup

142 World Cup starts
31 podiums
5 wins: Blue Mountain, Ontario x 3 (2012 – ’17 & ’19), Innichen, Italy 2011 and Idre Fjall, Sweden
2017 

X Games 

Gold 2016
Bronze 2010 – part of Canadian podium sweep