Gavin Rowell races to silver in Reiteralm, Austria

Reiteralm, AUT (March 28, 2019) – Canadian NextGen racers Zoe Chore (Cranbrook, B.C./Kimberley Alpine Ski Team) and Gavin Rowell (Prince George, B.C.) raced onto the podium at the 2019 FIS Freestyle Ski Cross World Junior Championships on Thursday.

Chore - who has seven NorAm and Europa Cup podiums this season, including five wins – tops her previous World Juniors’ results of 17th (2015) and eighth (2017) with a win, earning her the title of 2019 FIS Freestyle Ski Cross World Junior Champion.

“Having a strong group of teammates this year has pushed me to become better, stronger, faster,” said Chore, who was eighth in a Europa Cup race last weekend on the Reiteralm course. “I had a solid qualifying run, and could build on my performance from last week. Good starts and a strong tactical plan were very important for me in both the semifinal and final rounds. Everything came together today.”

The Reiteralm track is described by the Canadian contingent as a great technical track with plenty of passing opportunities. Thursday’s heats were competitive and filled with high-quality racing featuring the top junior ski cross athletes from around the world.

B.C.’s Rowell leaves Austria with a World Juniors’ silver medal, having won the eights and finished second in his quarter-final and semifinal heats, as well as the big final.

“The Europa Cup races in Rieteralm helped me get ready for this event, (and I arrived feeling) well prepared for this level of competition,” said Rowell of his mindset heading into Thursday’s Championship. “The heats today were extremely tight, and it was important to use every piece of terrain on the course. I was very happy that I could execute some passes in the big final and bring it home.”

Canada’s NextGen coach Victor Dockal applauded the race organizers for their work, and the Canadian team for its performance and willingness to battle hard through their heats. Edmonton’s Carson Cook and Calgary’s Sarah Clarke raced into the top-10, with Cook finishing third in the small final to end up seventh overall, and Clarke finishing ninth.

Rounding out the Canadian results were Albertans Mara Bishop of Calgary (14th), Stugeon County’s Callum McEwen (23rd), Galahad’s Kiersten Vincett (25th), and Phil Tremblay of Calgary (43rd).

Next up for Canada’s ski cross racers are the final two NorAm Cup races and the Canadian Ski Cross Championship being hosted at Sunshine Village, April 13-14. An exclusive end-of-season celebration dinner is also planned for Saturday, April 13 at Ticino in Banff. With tickets starting at just $85, ski cross fans and team supporters will enjoy a four-course meal and have a chance to rub elbows with some of this year’s Canadian World Cup and World Championship medallists.

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.