Alana Ramsay, Kurt Oatway, and Logan Leach and guide Caele Kassa golden in Colorado

Winter Park, Colorado (March 30, 2019) – The final 2019 Canadian Para-Alpine Champions were crowned on Saturday, as the racers took to the course in Winter Park, Colorado, for the slalom.

Alana Ramsay (Calgary/CADS Alberta) captured her first 2019 Canadian Nationals’ gold medal – and third Canadian podium of the week – edging teammate Frédérique Turgeon (Candiac, Que./Club de ski Bromont) whose stellar second run wasn’t enough to catch Ramsay. While Turgeon settled for silver, Sarah Gillies (Orangeville, Ont./Mansfield Ski Club) captured her second Canadian Nationals’ bronze medal.

“I am happy with the day, and with the week,” said Ramsay of her experience racing at the combined Canadian and U.S. Para-Alpine Championships. “I had a good time racing.”

Turgeon leaves Colorado as the 2019 Canadian Para-Alpine Champion in both the giant slalom and the super-G, in addition to Saturday’s silver medal in slalom. The 20-year-old has had a record season, winning two World Cup gold medals, three World Championship medals, and capturing the Crystal Globe as the overall slalom champion in the ladies’ standing category among her successes this year.

“I couldn’t ask for a better season than this one. I was – and stil am – very surprised with my results. It’s very promising,” said Turgeon, whose successes came amidst the sudden loss of her father, who passed away less than a month before her first World Cup gold medal. “I’m proud of how I managed to stay focused and race confidently while deadling with my father’s passing at the same time.”

Kurt Oatway (Calgary/Regina Alpine Race Team – Saskatchewan Alpine) continued his medal-haul, surprising himself with a gold in Saturday’s slalom. Oatway, who was recently named Saskatchewan’s Male Athlete of the Year by Sask Sport, leaves Nationals with two Canadian titles (giant slalom, slalom), one U.S. title (super-G), and a Canadian super-G silver medal.

“It was a good season and it was nice to end it on a good note,” said Oatway. “Slalom has never been my strong suit, but today (I had) two strong runs.”

British Columbian Logan Leach and guide Caele Kassa scored their second podium at Nationals, winning the men’s vision impaired category race. The duo edged Ethan Gillese and guide Madeleine Luntley, who settled for silver.

Laying down the final two runs of his career, Braydon Luscombe (Duncan, B.C./B.C. Para-Alpine) closes his career with the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team with a silver medal.

NextGen racer Alex Cairns (Squamish, B.C./B.C. Adaptive Snowsports) raced to bronze in the men’s sitting category.

Audi 2019 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen

From now until April 15, Alpine Canada and partners Audi Canada and Helly Hansen are accepting nominations and votes to determine the winners of the Audi 2019 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen. Media, fans, and members of the Canadian ski community are invited to help celebrate the nation’s vibrant ski racing community by recognizing the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and ski resorts that have made a positive mark this season. Visit AlpineCanada.org/Awards for more details.