Calgary, Alberta (Feb 23rd, 2024) — Canada’s para-alpine racers took over the slopes in Kimberley, BC, February 15 and 16, in hopes of securing a podium finish at the Canadian Para-Alpine National Championships. 

The two-day event featured national championship races, and also included FIS level races, in men’s and women’s downhill and super-G. Among the highlights were national team members Kurt Oatway (Calgary, AB) being crowned national champion in both events in men’s sitting, while Kalle Ericsson (Kimberley, BC), with guide Sierra Smith (Ottawa, ON), are national champions in downhill in men vision impaired. In the women’s races, Katie Combaluzier (Toronto, ON), racing a limited number of races this season, was the top Canadian in the women’s sitting downhill race.

“Speed nationals in Kimberley were incredible! It was a lot of fun coming home and racing on Dreadnaught again. I love being in Kimberley, racing around my friends and family,” Ericsson said.

 “The volunteers always put on such a great week of racing. Sierra and I had a lot of fun and made some huge progress in downhill and super-G. I hope that we can come back and race in Kimberley again soon because it is always so much fun! Thank you to all the volunteers for the amazing race week.”

“It’s always great to race at home, and our World Cup crew still gets a lot out of racing at home.  This is an invaluable experience for the newer athletes, many of whom are skiing speed for the first time,” said Matt Hallat, Athletic Director, Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team. 

“Given the weather in much of Canada this winter, we weren’t sure what we were going to get a few weeks before arriving in Kimberley. Mother Nature ended up cooperating with us, and after some early week work by the great volunteers and coaches we had two perfect Kimberley sunny days for our races on Thursday and Friday.”

With the Canadian national championships in the rearview, athletes now look to the next stages of their seasons, with national team athletes looking ahead to the remaining World Cup races, before taking on tech nationals in April in Colorado. 

For more information or media inquiries, please contact: 

Matt Hallat | Athletic Director, Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team Senior

mhallat@alpinecanada.org 

About Alpine Canada  

Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance, and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration, and growth in the ski community.