Calgary, Alta. (May 8, 2018) – Alpine Canada welcomes one of its own to the head coach position for the men’s tech alpine ski team: Dusan Grasic. Grasic is moving back to coaching at the World Cup level after spending time in the Alpine Canada head office as the Director of Domestic Sport. In this role, Grasic elevated coaching at all levels of ski racing and collaborated with provinces on building the development pathway. He has also been instrumental in the transition of the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation into Alpine Canada, and elevating programs such as the re-introduction of U16 National Championships, Snow Stars, Rising Stars and programming for the next generation of National Team athletes.

Grasic transitions back to coaching with an impressive history in ski racing. Grasic competed for the Slovenian National Team before dedicating his career to coaching. Grasic has coached numerous elite athletes to greatness, propelling them to achieve their best at the highest levels of international competition. Grasic coached Canadian Thomas Grandi to the first Canadian win in a men’s technical event and Mike Janyk to win the first Canadian medal in a technical event at a World Championships. From 2006 through 2008, Grasic served as Program Director at Alpine Canada when the team achieved the most podiums to date. He will bring over 30 years of coaching experience and immense value to the men’s tech team.

“Coaching is my first love and I’m really excited to continue working with athletes that I was coaching when they were at the Europa Cup level,” said Grasic about joining the team. “The goal for the first year is to build as a team and improve results at the World Cup level. Building the team culture and working on preforming well at all the World Cup races is the first goal. We have a very talented group of athletes and I know we can be competitive with the rest of the world. They have all demonstrated they have the speed to be on the podium and I look forward to seeing what they can do next season.”

Alpine Canada’s alpine athletic director, Martin Rufener, sees huge value in bringing Grasic back to coaching. “Dusan’s technical and tactical knowledge of what it takes to compete at the highest level is paramount to the team achieving success. He will be working with the athletes on the small details and changes so they can be successful. Bringing in a Canadian coach will help to create and build and positive culture for the team.”

Alpine Canada congratulates Grasic and wish him the best in his new role. The position of Domestic Director Sport will be filled following a thorough search.

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, 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.