WHATS UP: ALPINE CANADA ALPIN WELCOMES JOSEPH GURGIS AS SAFE SPORT MANAGER
As a part of Alpine Canada Alpines (ACA) continued commitment to increasing the safety of all participants in ski racing, the organization is proud to announce the addition of Joseph Gurgis as the organizations new Safe Sport Manager.
We are thrilled to welcome Joseph to the organization in this critical role, said Alpine Canadas President & CEO Therese Brisson. Alpine Canada is unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding sport and we have made it a priority. We have taken concrete action over the last few years to ensure a healthy and safe sport environment for all ski racing participants in Canada and we look forward to having Josephs leadership to help build on that momentum.
ZAGREB,CROATIA,03.JAN.21 – ALPINE SKIING – FIS World Cup, slalom, ladies. Image shows Erin Mielzynski (CAN). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Mario BuehnerRACE ROUNDUP: GOODBYE 2020 AND HELLO 2021
With amazing results, first time World Cup starts and getting into the points, Team Canada has started 2021 on the right foot.
Erin Mielzynski clawed her way through deteriorating conditions to finish in fifth spot on Saturday in Zagreb, CRO for the first World Cup of 2021. The slalom was challenging with wet, heavy snow for the occasion, but Erin fought through with the second-best second run of the day.
While many were still basking in the holiday season, Jack Crawford charged down the Stelvio slope to a 28th place finish in the super G and close out the speed races for the 2020 year in Bormio, ITA on December 29th . In the downhill race the following day, Jack charged from 49th to finish in 23rd, a personal best and his first ever World Cup downhill points.
Under the lights of Semmering, AUT on December 29th, Justine Clement of the Ski Qubec Alpin Team had her first World Cup start! Three Canadians also punched into the top 25 with Erin Mielzynski charging to a 18th place finish in the slalom while Laurence St-Germain and Amelia Smart finished in 21st and 25th respectively.
SANTA CATERINA,ITALY,07.DEC.20 – ALPINE SKIING – FIS World Cup, giant slalom, men. Image shows Erik Read (CAN). Photo: GEPA pictures/ Mario BuehnerPEAK’A’BOO: A CANADIAN NEW YEARS WISHLIST: 10 REASONS FOR OPTIMISM
2020 was a forgettable year on so many levels, but at least we have ski racing sort of. The season is young, in fact club programs across Canada are in various levels of shut down or start up, depending on provincial health guidelines and travel restrictions. In Ontario, ski clubs are mostly closed due to province-wide shutdown orders. In Quebec, Alberta and B.C., club programs started up in December with no racing or travelling. Either way, were all looking forward to sunnier days. In that spirit, here are a few things to look forward to in 2021
When COVID-19 first struck the North Shore in British Columbia, Bear helped doctors at Lions Gate Hospital by supplying healthy snacks and drinks, raising money on his own and even getting some companies to sponsor his effort.
When Bear learned about a tragic accident on the Sea to Sky highway he was particular concerned. With help from the community, Bear raised enough money to help the family buy a safe new family car worth almost $20,000.
After finding out that many of the kids being treated at the hospital for serious illnesses felt isolated because COVID-19, Bear and his friend Landon Brown helped the kids at BC Childrens Hospital get tablets and toys for Christmas. So far they have gotten collected over 159 iPads, 857 toys, over $12,000 in cash donations.
Bear asks all those in the ski community to contact their local hospitals to organize safe drop offs just like he has.
WHATS NEXT: TEAM CANADA LOOKS TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING!
Mens Tech: After Erin Mielzynskis incredible slalom in Zagreb last weekend Erik Read and Simon Fournier look to keep the Canadian momentum going tomorrow with the mens slalom. Erik finished in 13th on this course in 2017.
The team then moves on to Adelboden, SUI for two giant slalom and a slalom. Last year Erik had an 11th place finish in the slalom on this course, he looks to repeat that success and lead the team as they move into 2021!
Womens Speed: Marie-Michle Gagnon looks to hold it down for Canada in St. Anton, AUT as she kicks off 2021 with a shot at the downhill and super G. Mitch will look to build on her career-best 10th place finish in Val dIsre, FRA at the end of 2020. With 100 top-30 World Cup finishes and a top 10 in all five discipline Mitch is ready to bring the heat to 2021.
???? Check out our website on Thursday, January 7 for a preview of this weekends races