Four Canadian champions crowned in Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park, Colorado (March 27, 2019) – Canada’s para-alpine giant slalom champions were crowned in a full day of race action at Winter Park, Colorado, host of the 2019 Canadian and U.S. Para-Alpine Championships.

In the ladies’ standing category, it was Frédérique Turgeon (Candiac, Que./Club de ski Bromont) who prevailed with a 2.07-second lead on the field.

“Today was definitely a challenge; both courses were very hard,” said Turgeon, who said she’s still working to find her groove in the discipline. “I’m very happy that I managed to pull off two good runs. I’m still trying to figure out how GS works, but I’m super happy with where I am today.”

Lumby, B.C.’s Logan Leach – a 16-year-old racer who raced to silver at the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer – won the men’s vision impaired category alongside guide Kassa Caele. Leach, who races out of the Vernon Ski Club, was six seconds faster than fellow Canadian Ethan Gillese, who raced to silver with guide Madeleine Luntley.

In the men’s standing category, Alexis Guimond (Gatineau, Que./Club de ski Mont-Tremblant) put together two runs despite some challenges with a more turny course in the second run, to be declared the 2019 champion. He was joined on the podium by fellow Canadian Braydon Luscombe (Duncan, B.C./B.C. Para-Alpine), who retires from competition following Nationals. Luscombe raced to bronze in Wednesday’s GS.

“The first run was good (and) I skied well. The second run was more challenging; the course was really tough and turny. I just (had to keep) my skiing dynamic and aggressive (to) finish with a good lead,” said Guimond who was 3.2 seconds ahead of silver-medallist Thomas Walsh of the United States.

Kurt Oatway (Calgary/Regina Alpine Race Team – Saskatchewan Alpine) took advantage of the second run to move up and claim the win in the men’s sitting category, clocking a two-run time of 2:19.27.

“After the first run, I was a bit behind, but the second run was a drastically different set – very turny and tight radiuses,” said Oatway following the race. “I managed to pull ahead and secure (a national title) for the home team.”

Competing in the U.S. Nationals on Tuesday, Turgeon raced to gold in their giant slalom, with Ontario’s Sarah Gillies – the bronze-medallist in Wednesday’s Canadian Nationals - finishing second. Both Guimond and Oatway captured silver in their tune-up runs on Tuesday.

Coming up this week as part of the Canadian Para-Alpine Championships are super-G and slalom races.

Audi 2019 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen

From now until April 15, Alpine Canada and partners Audi Canada and Helly Hansen are accepting nominations and votes to determine the winners of the Audi 2019 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen. Media, fans, and members of the Canadian ski community are invited to help celebrate the nation’s vibrant ski racing community by recognizing the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and ski resorts that have made a positive mark this season. Visit AlpineCanada.org/Awards for more details.