Calgary, Alta. (December 15, 2022) – Canada’s men’s alpine speed racers were on the Saslong course in the Dolomites at the FIS Alpine World Cup event in Val Gardena / Groeden, Italy. This race was added to the schedule a replacement for the cancelled downhill earlier this month in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

On an overcast day in front of an energetic crowd, James (Jack) Crawford (Toronto, ON) was Canada’s top finisher in seventh place. It’s Crawford’s third top 10 of this young season and his best finish ever at Val Gardena.

“Today was a strong result for Jack,” said men’s speed coach John Kucera. “The team had good speed today and the guys had small errors that were costly as the racing was so tight. We’re looking ahead to the next two days with the super-G tomorrow and the downhill on Saturday. The course looks to be fast so hoping that the team can bring the same speed and that we get some results.”

Canadian para-alpine skiers were also in action today at the FIS Para-Alpine World Cup event in Steinach am Brenner, Austria. Frédérique Turgeon (Candiac, QC) took fourth in women standing and Alexis Guimond (Gatineau, QC) was fifth, missing the podium by just over 1/10 of a second, in men standing.

“It was a good day of racing,” said Guimond. “I was in the game and it was a really close race. Overall I’m happy with my approach and I’m really looking forward to putting one down in the GS tomorrow.”

In men’s sitting, Brian Rowland (Merrickville, ON) finished 7th and after a fast start, Kurt Oatway (Calgary, AB) had a DNF.

The other Canadians competing in the men’s alpine downhill today, Broderick Thompson (Whistler, BC), Brodie Seger (North Vancouver, BC), Cameron Alexander (North Vancouver, BC), Jeffrey Read (Canmore, AB) and Kyle Alexander (North Vancouver, BC) missed out on collecting any World Cup points.

Next Race

Para-alpine racers continue in Steinach am Brenner, Austria, with giant slaloms on Fri/Sat.

The alpine men speed skiers will continue in Val Gardena / Groeden Italy, with a super-G on Friday and a downhill on Saturday.

Women alpine speed skiers are in St. Moritz, Switzerland for downhills Fri/Sat and a super-G on Sunday. 

The men’s tech racers are in Alta Badia, Italy for giant slalom races Sunday Dec 18 and Monday the 19th. 

Ski cross is back racing in Innichen, Italy, on Wednesday Dec 21 and Thursday Dec 22.

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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.