Calgary, Alta. (February 14, 2017) – The 2015 World Championship silver medalist Canadian team went into today’s Nations Team Event with high hopes in St. Moritz (SUI). Erin Mielzynski, Candace Crawford, Trevor Philp and Phil Brown (Reserves: Ali Nullmeyer and Erik Read) made up Canada’s team and went into the race ranked 11th in the world. 

Team Canada took on Team USA (ranked sixth in the world) in the first round. Mielzynski was first out of the gate winning her run. Brown was the first man out of the gate and crashed just after the jump when his ski popped off. Crawford also crashed putting Canada on the board with two DNF results. Philp drew from experience and put down a fast run to qualify Canada into the next round by time, knocking USA out. 

In the quarterfinals, Canada faced the hometown favourites, Switzerland. Mielzynski won her run again giving Canada a good lead. Brown unfortunately succumbed to the hill again crashing half way down the second pitch. Dusting herself off from her first run crash, Crawford narrowly lost out on her run due to a slow start. Philp put down a speedy run but it wasn’t enough to advance Canada to the next round, missing out on the semi-finals by just 0.20. 

“I think it’s a great start to the tech week competing as a team in our individual sport,” said Mielzynski. “I think with our history, including today, we have a positive future as a nation in the team event. It was great training for the upcoming races and it was a lot of fun racing together.”

Fourth-ranked France was today’s winner with tenth-ranked Slovakia finishing in second-place and eight-ranked Sweden finishing in third. 

The races continue here in St. Moritz, along with sunny skis and a great atmosphere. Still to be contested are the men’s and women’s giant slalom and slalom races.  

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.