Reigning Olympic champions add 2019 national titles to career milestones

Banff, Alta. (April 14, 2019) – The reigning Olympic champions – Kelsey Serwa (Kelowna, B.C./Big White Ski Club) and Brady Leman (Calgary/ Calgary Alpine Racing Club) - prevailed at the 2019 Canadian Ski Cross Championship at Sunshine Village.

In ladies’ big final action, Sunday’s Nationals’ podium was a carbon copy of Saturday’s NorAm race medallists, with Serwa racing to her second win in as many days. She was joined on the podium by silver-medallist Marielle Thompson (Whistler, B.C./Whistler Mountain Ski Club). Abby McEwen (Edmonton/Sunridge Ski Club) rounded out the podium, finishing third, with India Sherret (Cranbrook, B.C./Kimberley Alpine Team) edged out to take fourth.

“It was really tight racing, [and the] volunteers did an incredible job [with the course],” said Serwa of the feat pulled off to support the coaches in putting on the weekend races. Earlier training at Sunshine this week was under sunny skies, but those were replaced by snowfall and flat light for Saturday and Sunday’s races.

Serwa described taking part in this year’s National Championship as “all-around good times.” The Canadian World Cup and NextGen athletes, coaches, and staff joined volunteers, parents, national team partners, and Canadian ski cross supporters for a special end-of-year celebratory dinner on Saturday evening at team alumnus and Olympian Louis-Pierre Hélie’s Ticino Swiss-Italian Restaurant in Banff as part of the week’s events and activities.

Leman – who was edged into third by up-and-coming teammates Reece Howden (Cultus Lake, B.C./Apex Ski Club) and Gavin Rowell (Prince George, B.C./ABSX) in Saturday’s NorAm race – reclaimed the top spot on the podium for Sunday’s NorAm, which doubled as this year’s Canadian Ski Cross Championship. It was a first Canadian title for Leman.

“It was a good race today, and I’m happy to take the win. It’s my first national title, which is kind of funny because I’ve been on the team for a long time,” said Leman with a smile following the awards presentation. “It’s nice to finish the year strong and healthy.”

Howden went two-for-two in medal performances, adding a silver medal to Saturday’s gold, while provincial athlete Ryan Webster of Calgary edged Canadian NextGen racer Carson Cook (Edmonton/Snow Valley Ski Club) to finish third.

The U19 Canadian Ski Cross Champions were also crowned on Sunday. Stepping onto the ladies’ U19 podium were U19 Champion Samantha Carter (11th overall), Kirsten Vincett (12th overall), and Sage Stefani (14th overall). Reece Ralph was the men’s U19 winner and finished eighth overall; he was joined on the podium by Zachary Stanier (16th overall) and Jack Macdonald (17th overall).

Audi 2019 Canadian Ski Racing Awards close tomorrow

With the alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross Canadian Championships now wrapped up, fans and members of the Canadian ski community have a final 24 hours to vote for and nominate the Audi 2019 Canadian Ski Racing Award winners. Voting closes on Monday, April 15. Votes and nominations can be logged at AlpineCanada.org/Awards until end-of-day Monday.