October 2, 2019 (Calgary, AB) - It is with extremely heavy hearts that Alpine Canada mourns Mikayla Martin (22) from Squamish, B.C., a highly passionate, dedicated, and valuable member of our Canadian Ski Cross team.

Mikayla passed away on the evening of October 1 following a mountain bike accident while at home in Squamish, BC.

“We wish to express our most sincere condolences to Christine and James, Mikayla’s parents, as well as her entire family and circle of friends,” said Vania Grandi, President and CEO of Alpine Canada. “Mikayla embodied a love of skiing and passion for ski cross that were boundless and words can’t express how sorely she’ll be missed.”

Born on January 8, 1997, Mikayla grew up in Squamish B.C and quickly developed a passion for skiing. A natural skier and mountain lover, she joined the Whistler Mountain Ski Club where she evolved as a promising alpine ski racer. She switched to Ski Cross following the 2016-2017 alpine racing season and quickly made a name for herself in her new sport, joining the national team in 2017.

In the summer of 2018, Mikayla was crowned FIS World Junior Champion in Cardrona, NZL. After demonstrating that she could compete with the best up-and-coming athletes in North America and internationally, Mikayla was given the opportunity to make the jump to the World Cup circuit last winter.

She rose to the challenge, achieving two top-10 results at the beginning of the 2019 season including a career best 6th place at the World Cup in Innichen, Italy. Her successes earned her a spot for her first World Championships at Solitude, USA last February.

While battling her way to the small final at World Championships, Mikayla suffered a spectacular crash that took her out of competition for the rest of the season. Despite her season-ending injury, Mikayla qualified for the World Cup Team this season and was poised to race on the World Cup circuit the 2019-20 season.

Mikayla’s parents said she loved her Ski Cross family and would have wanted the team to continue with their training, stay positive and ski fast.

Click here to support the Mikayla Martin Memorial Fund, set up by her family.

Statement by the RCMP on the accident.

CONTACT:

Marie-Hélène Thibeault

mthibeault@alpinecanada.org