Calgary, Alta. (March 2, 2020) –  Dustin Cook (Ottawa, ON) announced his plans today to retire from the Canadian Alpine Ski Team at the end of the 2019-20 season. His last World Cup race will be the super-G this weekend in Kvitfjell, NOR, where Cook skied to his first World Cup podium in 2015. Cook has been on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team since 2007 and has had repeated success in super G, winning the super G in Meribel, FRA in 2015 and finishing second in the super G at the FIS World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, USA. He was inducted as the eighth and final member of the ‘Canadian Cowboys’ in 2015 and represented Canada at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, KOR. 

“I am very proud of the things I have accomplished over my career. Growing up I always dreamt of being an Olympian, being on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, and of winning World Cup races, but it all seemed like a pipe dream. I accomplished things I can honestly say I did not think were possible for a kid growing up in eastern Ontario and western Quebec,” reflected Cook.  Cook has a lasting legacy at his home mountain of Mont Sainte-Marie, QC where the Dustin Cook Training Centre and the Dustin Cook Run will continue to inspire generations to come. 

Cook has most been recently coached by 2009 downhill World Cup Champion John Kucera. Kucera became the men’s speed team head coach at the beginning of the 2019-20 season. “It was a real pleasure getting to work with Dustin this year and getting to know him more as a racer and a person. He will always be able to look back with pride on his career. It is pretty special to be able to say you are a World Championship medalist, not many people can say that. I wish him luck in his next endeavours. I know from experience you never know where these things will take you and I’m excited to see what he does next,” said Kucera. 

“Dustin focused very hard on the super G which was highlighted by his success in the 2014-15 season with his World Championship medal and winning the super G in Meribel, FRA. He competed at the very top level of the sport. He is an awesome athlete who fought very hard to get back to that high level,” said Martin Rufener, Athletic Director with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team.

While he won’t be skiing competitively, Cook is excited to rediscover his love of skiing. “After so many years focused on the singular goal of being the fastest ski racer I could be, I feel that I need to rediscover my love of skiing. I am incredibly grateful for the relationships and friendships I have made throughout this journey, and the people I have been able to share the ups and downs with. It truly takes a village to get to this point, and I cannot overstate how thankful I am for everyone who has had a hand in shaping my career and helping me become the person I am today. ”

We wish Dustin the best of luck in his next adventure and thank him for 12 seasons with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. 

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

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