Calgary, Alta. (March 13, 2017) – She’s the walking definition of a living legend and a true Canadian champion. Nancy Greene Raine’s success on the alpine world stage in the 1960s, and her continued contribution to Canadian ski racing, make her one of Canada’s most iconic and legendary alpine racers. 

With the 2017 Audi FIS World Cup Finals kicking off in a couple of days in Aspen (U.S.A.), Alpine Canada looks back at one of the greatest accomplishments in Canadian ski racing history. It was 50 years ago that Nancy Greene won the overall title in Jackson Hole (U.S.A.), going on to mark her page in history as the most winningest female Canadian alpine racer in history.   

Hailing from Rossland, B.C., Greene Raine made history in 1967 winning the overall World Cup title by four points in Jackson Hole (U.S.A.), in the inaugural year the World Cup tour was made a cumulitave points-based circuit. Prior to the 1967 season, international races had no overall season winner. In the summer of 1966 at the World Ski Championships in Portillo (CHI), the FIS World Cup tour was conceived and changed forever the focus of Alpine skiing. 

In 1967 at 23-years-old, Nancy Greene stormed the early portion of the World Cup circuit before heading back to Canada to compete in domestic races, and joining back up with the tour in North America with a considerable gap to overcome in the overall standings. By the time the World Cup Finals had rolled around, she had made up enough ground to be a contendor for the title. Her legendary win in the final slalom race, won her the overall title. Ousting the favoured French team, Greene demonstrated what a powerhouse she would continue to be on the tour. 

Now, 50 years later, she remains a legend in the sport. Both Nancy and her husband, Al Raine, were instrumental in developing young ski racing talent through their namesake program, the Nancy Greene Ski League. With the overarching philosophy of promoting participation and de-ephasizing winning, the league encouraged youth to enjoy ski racing. Today, the Nancy Greene Ski League has been adapted and adopted by the most Canadian ski racing clubs and the program will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. The program has fostered an uncountable number of alpine ski racers across the country and has no doubt helped to build what is Canada’s national team today. 

The current Canadian Alpine Ski Team is deep with this generation’s alpine heros like Erik Guay, the most decorated Canadian male alpine racer of all time, and Canadian Cowboys Manuel Osborne-Paradis and Dustin Cook. Marie-Michèle Gagnon and Erin Mielzynski have World Cup podiums that mark them as the best female racers in Canada at this time. These current Canadian alpine superstars will race in the World Cup Finals in Aspen (U.S.A.) next week.  

Both Nancy and Al will be in Aspen (U.S.A.) cheering on the Canadians as they fight to bring home podium finishes before the 2016-17 Audi FIS World Cup season comes to a close. 

“We are looking forward to being at the World Cup Finals to cheer on the Canadians,” said Greene Raine. “50 years have gone by since I won the first overall title and the memories are still crystal clear. A lot of things have changed since then, but the more they change, it seems the more they stay the same. It’s been great to see how well the Canadians have done this year. We have tremendous respect for the athletes and what they have accomplished in their careers.”