Calgary AB, (December 15, 2020) – The Canadian Ski Cross Team kicked off their World Cup season from Arosa, Sui today in a nighttime affair. The 470-meter course was full of big air and hard turns. Zach Belczyk (Banff, AB) had a personal best finish ending the day in eighth spot. 

“Today was a wild experience, a couple starts at the end I didn’t love but other than that I was just focusing on skiing my line,” said Zach. “I tried not to worry about who was next to me in the gate and just sort of worried about myself.”

Last year’s winner of the FIS Ski Cross World Cup at Nakiska Ski Resort Reece Howden finished the day in fifth, winning his second small final of his career and his third top-five result. After a prolonged off-season and so much uncertainty around the season, it was good to be back in the start gate for the recent graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). 

“I just wanted to get out in front, and I did that for most of my heats. I was skiing fast and made a small mistake in the semi-finals but came back from it to win the small finals,” Reece said after the race. “It was a big relief to get into the semis, my goal was top eight, and I’m stoked that I still have it.” 

On the women’s side, Antoinette Tansley punched in a personal best with a 15th place finish while Hannah Schmidt who is returning from injury also had a personal best finishing in 16th spot.

The whole team will get another shot at the Arosa course tomorrow for another nighttime affair. Watch it live on CBCsports.ca 12:45 PM ET / 10:45 AM MT. 

Team Results

Men’s Ski Cross

5th – Reece Howden
8th – Zach Belczyk
12th – Chris Del Bosco
17th – Brady Leman
30th – Kevin Drury
43rd – Jared Schmidt
51st – Kris Mahler 
53rd – Carson Cook 
56th – Gavin Rowell

Women’s Ski Cross

9th – Courtney Hoffos
14th – Zoe Chore
15th – Antoinette Tansley 
16th – Hannah Schmidt 
22nd – Tiana Gairns
25th – Marielle Thompson 

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Whitney Hunter I Manager of Communications 
whunter@alpinecanada.org I 403-471-6032

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. In 2020, Alpine Canada celebrates 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.