Creates Alpine High Performance Advisory Committee to deliver on performance objectives

Calgary AB, (December 22, 2022) – Alpine Canada Alpin announced today that Phil McNichol, High-Performance Director, Alpine will be leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities effective February 10th, 2023.  Phil joined Alpine Canada in March 2020 and was a significant contributor to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team’s (CAST) successes during what has been 2.5 years of unprecedented challenges.

“On behalf of Alpine Canada, I want to thank Phil for his contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors. This is one of the toughest jobs in Canadian sport and Phil has contributed greatly to our team’s success” said Therese Brisson, President & CEO.  

Phil worked tirelessly to support our coaches and athletes who made significant progress over the past three seasons despite competitive disadvantages that were exacerbated with COVID-19 travel restrictions and quarantines. He brought a valuable perspective, sport knowledge and experience to the Alpine Program.  

“My time at Alpine Canada has been a deeply rewarding experience. It has been inspirational to work with so many talented athletes and staff and I am proud of the Alpine Program’s improvement and competition performance over the three seasons I have been involved”, said Phil McNichol. 

Alpine Canada is committed to our vision for Canada to be a world-leading ski racing nation and mission of increasing podium performances while inspiring the growth in participation and fans.  Last season was the best for the Alpine program in over a decade with three Alpine World Cup podiums, 34 Top10s, and an Olympic medal as well as 11 Top 10s and a Gold medal podium at the World Junior Ski Championships.  

To help continue building on this momentum, Alpine Canada has formed an interim Alpine High Performance Advisory Committee of technical experts with a mandate to provide advice on plans and priorities to achieve our performance objectives in the 2026 Olympic quadrennial and beyond within our funding framework.  Members of the committee include:

• Dave Ellis, High Performance Director, Ski Cross, Alpine Canada
• Erik Guay, most successful Canadian ski racer, coach & Alpine Canada board 
• Cara Thibault, High Performance Advisor, OTP & former HPD Speedskating Canada
• Anders Hestdalen, CEO, BC Alpine and former coach Norway Alpine Ski Team
• Jeff Thompson, VP Sport Development & Events, Alpine Canada

Alpine Canada has initiated a selection process to identify the best candidate to lead CAST into the future.  In the interim, the CAST program is in extremely talented hands with Karin Harjo, Head Coach of the women’s program and Mark Tilston, Head Coach of the men’s program.  Karin and Mark will report directly to President & CEO Therese Brisson for the rest of the 2022-23 season.

Dave Ellis and Matt Hallat will continue to lead the world-class Ski Cross and Para-Alpine national team programs in their roles as High-Performance Director, Ski Cross and Para-Alpine respectively.    

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For more information or media inquiries please contact:
Mark Halliday, Director Brand & Communications 
mhalliday@alpinecanada.org I 403-777-3204

About Alpine Canada
Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance, and compliance with the coaching code of conduct.  With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration, and growth in the ski community.