Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Roger Witney
Calgary, Alta. (December 13, 2017) – The Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team is currently in Europe battling the elements. The first World Cup races of the season were set to take place in St. Moritz, SUI but have been cancelled due to excessive snow.
This incredibly talented group of athletes dominated the circuit last season. Veteran athletes continued to lead by example with podium performances at the World Cup and World Championship level and capturing Crystal Globes. Young athletes continued to reach their potential claiming personal-best finishes all season long, as well as demonstrating podium performances at the Paralympic Test Event in PyeongChang.
The 2017-18 season promises to be an exciting one with the return of the World Cup circuit to Canada and the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Games on the calendar for March.
From February 7-11, 2018, Kimberly Alpine Resort in British Columbia will host the final World Cup Para-Alpine races before the Paralympics. This will be Canada’s last qualifying opportunity for the Games.
Jean-Sébastien Labrie continues as the Head Coach for the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, leading eight National Team athletes into the season.
Mac Marcoux (Sault Ste. Marie) and his guide, Jack Leitch (Calgary, Alta.) are ready to dominate the circuit once again this season. The duo picked up five 2017 World Championship medals, multiple World Cup podiums across all disciplines and clinched the Crystal Globe in downhill.
Alana Ramsay (Calgary, Alta.) also had a huge showing at the 2017 World Championships claiming four medals and took home the 2017 slalom and downhill Crystal Globe.
During the 2017 Paralympic Test Event, Alexis Guimond (Gatineau, Que.), Erin Latimer (Toronto, Ont.) and Ramsay all had podium performances on the Paralympic track they’ll be racing on in March. Guimond, the young 17-year-old, claimed his first World Cup podium last season and will be looking to continue that success this season.
Kurt Oatway (Calgary, Alta.) picked up two podium finishes last season before crashing during a World Championships downhill training run. Oatway broke his arm during the crash but is returning the circuit healthy and ready to pick up where he left off last year.
“Breaking my arm last year at World Champs was disappointing,” said Oatway. “I'm healthy and have been training hard all summer and skiing fast. I'm heading into these first World Cups confident and ready to set up a strong push toward PyeongChang in March.”
For a full team roster, click here.
This year fans can stream more races than ever before. All World Para Alpine Skiing World Cups will be live streamed on the World Cup microsite, IPC’s YouTube channel and the World Para Alpine Skiing Facebook page.
This season promises to be another exciting one. Here’s how you can follow along and cheer on the #CANSkiTeam:
Full athlete bios here.
World Para Alpine Skiing Calendar
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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.
