Calgary, Alta. (December 22, 2017) – The para-alpine season kicked off in Kuhtai, AUT with a tech series including two giant slalom races and two slalom races. Mac Marcoux (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) and guide, Jack Leitch (Calgary, Alta.) led the team’s performance capturing two first-place finishes, one in giant slalom and one in slalom. Marcoux said the first race of the series got off to a rocky start, despite his winning performance, and moved into the remaining races looking to clean up his skiing.

“It’s a good way to start off the season,” said Marcoux. “Wasn’t the best feeling or the prettiest skiing, but it got the job done. It’s a good start to build off of for the rest of the series.”

Marcoux skies in the visually impaired category. Watch his winning slalom run here.

In the standing category, Alana Ramsay (Calgary, Alta.) showed consistency and successes claiming three third-place finishes to start her season off. Ramsay had a breakout season last year and is continuing to show she’ll be a medal contender at the 2018 Winter Paralympics Games.

“It feels good to finally be back in the race environment after losing our speed series in St. Moritz to weather,” said Ramsay. “It’s good to start the year strong. I am look forward to the season ahead.”

Kurt Oatway (Calgary, Alta.), who competes in the sitting category, hit the podium in the first race of the season in the giant slalom.

“I’m happy with today’s result but there is still a long road ahead to Korea and beyond,” said Oatway. “I hope to build on today’s success for tomorrow’s race to keep the momentum high.”

Development Team athlete, Mollie Jepsen (Vancouver, B.C.), pushed out of her first World Cup start gate in Kuhtai, AUT. She demonstrated she has potential and can be competitive on the World Cup circuit, finishing in fifth-place in the second slalom race. This is a personal-best result for Jepsen on the World Cup circuit.

The Kuhtai, AUT venue has also hosted the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics and has been the venue for multiple World Cup competitions. After a cancelled series of races that were supposed to be held in St. Moritz, SUI, the World Cup circuit is now back on track.

The team has a break over the holidays and will be racing in Veysonnaz, SUI in the new year for another series of tech races.

Full results from Kuhtai, AUT available here.

Canadian Giant Slalom #1 Results

3 – Alana Ramsay

7 – Erin Latimer

DNF – Mollie Jepsen

1 – Mac Marcoux

3 – Kurt Oatway

15 – Kirk Schornstein

DNF – Braydon Luscombe

DNF – Alexis Guimond

Canadian Giant Slalom #2 Results

3 – Alana Ramsay

8 – Erin Latimer

DNF – Mollie Jepsen

14 – Kurt Oatway

DNF – Mac Marcoux

DNF – Alexis Guimond

DNF – Kirk Schornstein

DNF – Braydon Luscombe

Canadian Slalom #1 Results

3 – Alana Ramsay

5 – Mollie Jepsen

8 – Erin Latimer

11 – Kirk Schornstein

14 – Braydon Luscombe

DNF – Alexis Guimond

DNF – Mac Marcoux

DNF – Kurt Oatway

Canadian Slalom #2 Results

6 – Erin Latimer

DNF – Alana Ramsay

DNF – Mollie Jepsen

1 – Mac Marcoux

7 – Kurt Oatway

8 – Braydon Luscombe

9 – Kirk Schornstein

15 – Alexis Guimond

ABOUT ALPINE CANADA

Alpine Canada is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medallists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community.