Calgary, Alta. (January 23, 2023) – The opening day of racing at the FIS Para Alpine World Championships in Espot, Spain, saw three Canadians place fifth.  After dealing with weather-related delays and cancellations, the athletes took to the slopes in Espot today under blue skis and bright sun.

Appearing in her third world championships, Frédérique Turgeon (Candiac, QC), raced to fifth in today’s women-standing super-G. Turgeon captured a super-G bronze medal at the world championships in Kranjska Gora, Slovakia in 2019.

“I felt like I was fighting the hill out there today,” said Turgeon. “I had a tough day with the conditions. There were some soft spots here and there, and then it was really tough and icy on the pitch. I just need to adjust a few things, and I’m hopeful that I can attack a little bit more in the upcoming races.”

In today’s men-standing super-G, Alexis Guimond, Gatineau (QC), placed fifth. This is Guimond’s fourth world championships, and his best world championships result is a bronze from Tarvisio, Italy, 2017.

“It’s been a pretty challenging week so far,” said Guimond. “I really need to step my game up if I want to be a world champion. I need to put a full run together, and do some good skiing, and not just in one or two sections. I’m looking forward to some more opportunities to make it happen.”

Kurt Oatway (Calgary, AB) claimed fifth in today’s men-sitting super-G, missing the podium by just over a second. This is Oatway’s fifth world championships, and he captured a silver medal in the super-G at the Kranjska Gora, Slovakia, 2019 world championships.

“First day of speed racing after the delays and it showed,” said Oatway. “My skiing has some room for improvement as I made mistakes and got off the racing line. I’m looking forward to the alpine combined and the downhill over the next two days.”

Brian Rowland (Merrickville, ON) also raced in today’s men-sitting super-G but didn’t finish his run.

The FIS Para Alpine World Ski Championships runs January 21st to 29th. To see the full World Championships schedule and results please click here. Fans can watch the racing on the FIS Alpine YouTube channel (link here).

Follow Canada’s Ski Team this season on Alpine Canada’s website, across our social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter.

Next Race

FIS Para Alpine Ski World Championships 2023 at Espot and La Molina, Spain, continue through January 29th.

FIS Junior World Ski Championships continue in St. Anton, Austria, through January 25th.  

Men’s tech head to Schladming, Austria, for races January 24-25

Women tech are in Kronplatz, Italy, January 24-25 and then in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czechia, Jan 28-29

Men speed travel to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, for races January 28 and 29.

Ski cross return to World Cup racing in Reiteralm, Austria, February 16 and 17.

-30-

For more information or media inquiries please contact
Mark Halliday 
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. In 2020/21, Alpine Canada celebrated 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.