Calgary, Alta. (January 18, 2017) – The para-alpine team aced the first day of tech races in Kranjska Gora (SLO) with three podium finishes, including two wins highlighted by a career-first win.  

Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team rookie, Alexis Guimond from Quebec, skied to his first podium and first career win on the World Cup circuit. The 17-year-old standing skier joined the team in time for this season and has been progressing with each race to land on the podium with a sizeable lead over the second-place time. This marks the first men’s standing category win in over ten years.

“I came into this race with a different mindset,” said Guimond. “I’ve had trouble finishing giant slalom races this season and so I was looking for solid skiing. It’s a tough hill so my run didn’t always feel great but I am proud with how I kept it going and overall skied very well. I’m a bit overwhelmed right now as I didn’t expect to achieve such success so quickly. It makes me very excited for the World Championships next week!”

On the women’s side, Calgary’s Alana Ramsay nailed two giant slalom runs winning today’s race with the two fastest times in the women’s standing category. Ramsay continues to deliver result after result this season in both technical and speed disciplines. Teammate Erin Latimer from Toronto joined Ramsay on the podium, for her career-best finish in second-place.

“Today was a challenging day with both the soft snow and tough courses,” said Ramsay. “I am happy with my performance. I made a plan and followed it through right to the finish line. I feel very confident moving into the slalom over the next two days!”

“Today was definitely not a ‘feel good’ day,” said Latimer. “The conditions were tough. It was a fight from start to finish. It was a fun challenge and I’m really excited to have my first second-place finish. Great momentum going into World Championships next week.”

Next up, the team will stay at the same venue and race two slalom races.

Women’s Standing

1 – Alana Ramsay

2 – Erin Latimer

Men’s Visually Impaired 

3 – Mac Marcoux (guide Jack Leitch)

Men’s Sitting

11 - Kurt Oatway

Men’s Standing

1– Alexis Guimond

11 – Kirk Schornstein

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.