Calgary, Alta. (March 28, 2018) – Canada continues to show promise and brilliance for the country’s alpine ski racing programs as athletes continue to secure Nor-Am Cup, podiums titles and future World Cup spots. The development team, led by men’s head coach, John Kucera and ladies’ head coach, Peter Rybarik had outstanding performances this season on the Nor-Am Cup circuit. For the 2018-19 World Cup season, the men secured five World Cup start positions and the ladies’ earned seven.

For full Nor-Am Cup standings, click here: https://data.fis-ski.com/alpine-skiing/cup-standings.html

“I think the guys did a good job on the Nor-Am tour this year with some career-bests for the guys,” said Kucera. “Jack [James Crawford] came through at the end taking both the downhill and super-G title. Sam [Mulligan] was consistent right from the get-go, starting with a win at the first super-G in Lake Louise. He continued to build off that success, earning a second-place finish in the super-G standings, which was a really awesome step for him this season. Jeff [Read] showed promise in all the disciplines, and had a great finish in downhill with a second-place overall showing some real growth. Brodie [Seger] finished off the Nor-Am season coming on strong in speed. For Riley [Seger] and Simon [Fournier], this season was about figuring out what it takes to compete at this level and be consistent. And finally, Morgan [Megarry] showed a lot of grit this season fighting for results and battled hard to get back in the mix, showing he can be competitive and back on the podium. It was a great year to watch them on the Nor-Am Cup circuit but it was also exciting to see a lot of our guys earn World Cup starts this year.”

“Roni was dominating in January before hitting the World Cup circuit,” said Rybarik. “She was able to secure the overall title and the downhill and super-G title. Stefanie [Fleckenstein] also showed a lot of strength in speed. It was a tough loss with Sierra [Smith] and Marina [Vilanova] getting injured. All-in-all, it was a pretty good season.”

MEN’S RESULTS

On the men’s side, James (Jack) Crawford (Toronto, Ont./ Whistler, B.C.), had a phenomenal Nor-Am Cup season. He finished second overall and picked up the downhill and super-G titles, as well as finishing in second-place in the alpine combined discipline. Crawford picked up seven podium finishes this season, including four wins. Based on his overall titles, Crawford has earned himself a spot in all 2018-19 World Cup downhill and super-G races next season.

“The Nor-Am season for myself was long with some ups and downs,” said Crawford. “I wasn’t able to pick things up until after the Copper Nor-Ams. After that series I manage to get my skiing together where I brought it to Kimberley and scored my best results of the season. I manage to capture both the downhill and super-G titles and I’m hoping Canada will see more of me on the World Cup stage next year. I’m definitely happy with the season.” 

Sam Muligan (Vancouver, B.C.) finished third overall and second in the super-G standings. Mulligan had six podiums this season, including wins in super-G and alpine combined disciplines. Also noteworthy for Mulligan this season, was his silver medal in downhill at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

Jeffrey Read (Calgary, Alta.), had three top-five rankings at the end of the Nor-Am Cup season, including sitting fourth-ranked in the overall category, second overall in downhill and fourth overall in super-G. Read won a downhill, super-G and slalom race this season on the Nor-Am Cup circuit.

In the men’s giant slalom rankings, Trevor Philp (Calgary, Alta.) finished second overall in the discipline and fifth in the overall. Despite having a focus on the World Cup circuit, Philp still managed to capture eight podiums on the Nor-Am Cup circuit, in giant slalom, slalom, super-G and alpine combined.

LADIES’ RESULTS 

Roni Remme (Collingwood, Ont.) led the Canadian women’s team, capturing the overall ladies’ title, as well as winning both the downhill and super-G titles, and finished second in alpine combined. Winning the overall title gives Remme a start spot in every 2018-19 World Cup race next season.

“I’m very happy to have won the overall title this year,” said Remme. “It has been a bit difficult lately because I haven’t had the results that I wanted, so I’m happy that I was able to hold on to the title and finish the season strong.”

On the tech side, Mikaela Tommy (Wakefield, Que.) took home the giant slalom title and finished third in the overall Nor-Am Cup rankings and the alpine combined standings.

“The season was pretty good and pretty fun,” said Tommy. “It’s always fun to try and win! I met some goals and got a World Cup GS spot for next year so I’m happy with that.”

Amelia Smart (Invermere, B.C.), took the slalom title win this year, while she was simultaneously working on a degree at the University of Denver, skiing on the NCAA circuit.

Stefanie Fleckenstein (Whistler, B.C.) finished in the top five in four disciplines, with her best ranking being second overall in downhill. She was ranked fourth overall across all disciplines, fourth in alpine combined and fifth in super-G. She had seven Nor-Am Cup podiums this season, including a second-place finish in the Lake Louise downhill after racing on the World Cup track the weekend before.

CANADIAN NOR-AM RACES 

The Nor-Am Cup is an essential stepping-stone in the path to developing World Cup and Olympic Champions, and is held annually from December to March throughout the United States and Canada. The Canadian portion, the 2018 Coupe Nor-Am Cup presented by Budget Rent-a-Car of Calgary, had three stops this season: Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alta. Panorama Mountain Resort, BC and Kimberley Alpine Resort, BC. Alberta Alpine hosted the first stop at the Lake Louise Ski Resort on the Winterstart World Cup Downhill track in early December. The tour then immediately moved to Panorama Mountain Resort for a speed and technical series. After shifting south of the border for the American portion of the Nor-Am Cup, the 2018 Nor-Am Cup season concluded with the 2018 Nor-Am Cup Finals at Kimberley Alpine Resort hosted by BC Alpine. 

Alpine Canada is indebted to the tireless local Race Organizing Committees who prepare for months to welcome hundreds of athletes and coaches to their communities. The Coupe Nor-Am Cup presented by Budget Rent-a-Car of Calgary could not exist without the incredible commitment of the countless volunteers who travel to the host resorts to work in the most trying of conditions to run the races effectively and safely; you are integral to building Canada’s future champions. We thank you for your passion. 

Alpine Canada would also like to thank the many event partners who contributed to the success of these events: Helly Hansen, Alberta Alpine, BC Alpine, Budget Rent-a-Car of Calgary, Lake Louise Ski Resort, Panorama Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Winterstart Events Limited, Windermere Valley Ski Club, Team Panorama, Dreadnaught Racing, Kimberley Disabled Skiing Association, Alberta Sport Connection, the Government of Alberta, ViaSport, SkiCatalogue.com, World Cup Supply, Laggan’s Mountain Bakery, Konig Meat and Sausage Co, PepsiCo, LP Tent, the Lake Louise Inn, Trickle Creek Lodge, Mountain Spirit Resort and Northstar Mountain Village Resort.

Alpine Canada would also like to thank our organizational sponsors for their support of the Nor-Am Cup and Alpine Development Teams: Government of Canada, CIBC, Mackenzie Investments, Solace, Sport Chek, Audi Canada, Helly Hansen, Nikon, Stingray, Ricola, Viterra, Element Financial, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and the Nik Zoricic Foundation.

World Cup Spots Earned – Canada

OVERALL TITLES

Overall
River Radamus – 1st - USA
James Crawford – 2nd - CAN
Sam Mulligan – 3rd - CAN

Roni Remme – 1st – CAN
Nina O’Brien – 2nd – USA
Mikaela Tommy – 3rd - CAN

Downhill
James Crawford – 1st - CAN
Jeffrey Read – 2nd - CAN
Brodie Seger – 3rd - CAN

Roni Remme – 1st - CAN
Stefanie Fleckenstein – 2nd - CAN
Maureen Level – 3rd - USA

Super-G
James Crawford – 1st - CAN
Sam Mulligan – 2nd - CAN
River Radamus – 3rd – CAN

Roni Remme – 1st – CAN
Nina O’Brien – 2nd  - USA
Valérie Grenier – 3rd – CAN

Giant Slalom
Brian McLaughlin – 1st – USA
Trevor Philp – 2nd – CAN
Tanguy Nef – 3rd – SUI

Mikaela Tommy – 1st – CAN
Adriana Jelinkova – 2nd – NED
AJ Hurt – 3rd – USA

Slalom
Mark Engel – 1st – USA
River Radamus – 2nd – USA
Luke Winters – 3rd – USA

Amelia Smart – 1st – CAN
Lila Lapanja – 2nd – USA
Laurence St-Germain – 3rd - CAN

Combined
Sam Morse – 1st – USA
James Crawford – 2nd – CAN
River Radamus – 3rd – USA

Valérie Grenier – 1st – CAN
Roni Remme – 2nd – CAN
Mikaela Tommy – 3rd - CAN

ABOUT ALPINE CANADA

Alpine Canada is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medallists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community.