Calgary, Alta. (January 23, 2017) – The 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing World Championships will be held in Tarvisio (ITA) from January 23rd through January 31st. Over 130 athletes from 25 countries will compete in 30 medal events across men’s and women’s disciplines. Slalom, giant slalom, super combined, super-G and downhill disciplines will all be run at this year’s World Championships. 

“I’m pretty stoked heading into World Championships next week,” said Mac Marcoux who has picked up some hardware this season. “I feel like Jack [Leitch] and I have had good preparation and have built some confidence moving forward from the races through the season. We had a chance to check out the venue last week and make some turns on the race hill. The snow feels great and solid. Now we are just counting down the days until the first downhill training run.” 

“2017 has gotten off to a great start for Mac and I in Innerkrems,” said Jack Leith, Marcoux’s guide for the season. “With our solid start to the year in the speed events, our confidence is at a high and we are feeling great heading into World Championships in Tarvisio. We had the opportunity to free ski on the race track and from what I can tell, it looks like a great run for Mac and I to be able to lay it down in all events!”

The Canadian Para-Alpine Team is heading into the World Championships with 21 World Cup medals across all disciplines. The team has seen success from athletes who have delivered outstanding results in the past, as well as from athletes who have delivered career-first performances this season. 

“With all the preseason training this season, I feel well prepared for the upcoming World Championships,” said Calgary’s Alana Ramsay who has seen the podium multiple times this season. “Many hours have gone into the preparation for the upcoming Championships, both in the gym and on the snow. With some good results behind me this season, I feel like am well prepared and I have what it takes to find a podium.”

As this relatively young team continues to prepare for the 2018 PyeongChang Games, the World Championships provide another stepping stone for the athletes to compete on the world stage among the fastest skiers in the world. 

“World Championships is the highlight of our season,” said head coach, J.S. Labrie. “This is the dress rehearsal for the Games next season and where we want to shine for this season. We have a young team that is learning each day how to perform on demand. Despite lack of snow altering our November preparation and training blocks, we have expectations for select athletes to podium. After the Innerkrems speed races, we feel confidence with where the team is at. We entered the new year with great momentum that’s leading us into the World Championships, especially in speed events.”

All the races will be streamed live here. 

The full schedule is available here. 

WHERE: Tarvisio, Italy

WHEN: January 23-31, 2017 

ATHLETES: 

Erin Latimer

Alana Ramsay

Alexis Guidmond

Braydon Luscombe

Mac Marcoux (guide: Jack Leitch)

Kirk Schornstein 

Kurt Oatway

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.