Calgary, Alta. (March 11, 2023) – It was a triple podium day for Canada in the downhill at the FIS Para Alpine Ski World Cup Finals in Sella Nevea, Italy. After three days of unfavourable weather conditions, the athletes took to the slopes today under blue skies and good conditions. Frédérique Turgeon (Candiac, QC) led the Canadians, racing to silver in women standing, capturing her third Word Cup podium this season to go along with a World Championships bronze medal.

“I felt super confident in the start,” said a pleased Turgeon. “I gave it all I’ve got but made a few mistakes, including one at the bottom that I think cost me first place. I know what to do tomorrow and I’m ready to do it. This course is really fast, a little scary, but after the boring days off because of the weather it’s great to have a new challenge.”

Alexis Guimond (Gatineau, QC) captured bronze in men standing, his fourth podium this season including a bronze in the downhill at the World Championships. Kurt Oatway (Calgary, AB) grabbed bronze in men sitting, for his second podium for the season, and Brian Rowland (Merrickville, ON) delivered a career best sixth place finish in men’s sitting.

At today’s historic FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Slalom in Are, Sweden, Canada’s Laurence St-Germain (St. Ferréol-les-Neiges, QC) finished in fifth pace. On the heels of last month’s world championship gold medal, St-Germain was sixth after the first run and improved to fifth on her second run. This is St-Germain’s third top 10 this season and her fifth consecutive race finishing in the top 25.

“I felt some pressure after world championships so I’m pretty happy with my result today,” said St-Germain. “It’s my second-best result ever so that feels good and I’m especially happy with my second run because I felt that I attacked better and was more aggressive than in the first run.”

Today’s race was highlighted by Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) winning her record setting 87th World Cup race, passing the great Ingemar Stenmark for the most alpine World Cup wins in history.

“It was pretty cool to be in the finish for Mikaela’s 87th World Cup win,” added St-Germain. “I’m glad that I could be there to see it happen. We’ve all been expecting it, and it makes an amazing story that she did it at the place where she got her first World Cup win. It’s going to be a hard record to beat.”

Ali Nullmeyer (Toronto, ON) finished 22nd today, her eighth top 25 in 10 slalom races this season, and Amelia Smart (Invermere, BC) finished the first run in 43rd and didn’t advance to the second run.

In front of a large, boisterous crowd on a beautiful day at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Giant Slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Asher Jordan (North Vancouver, BC) delivered a career best 20th place finish. Jordan was the first skier down the course on the second run and his time was the third fastest second run of the day.

“I’m super happy with how today went,” said a smiling Jordan. “It’s pretty warm so the conditions were a little tricky. The course workers did a great job and starting first on the second run definitely helped. Feels really good to have a top 30 result, to put some confidence in my pocket and to finish the year strong. Really looking forward to tomorrow.”

Erik Read (Canmore, AB) picked up World Cup points today finishing 21st, while James (Jack) Crawford (Toronto, ON) finished the first run in 31st, just missing out on advancing to the second run. Liam Wallace (Calgary, AB), started 54thand jumped to 40th in his first run but missed out on advancing to the second run.

Next Race

Para-alpine race in Sella Nevea, Italy, on Sunday

Men tech race in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on Sunday

Ski cross are in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, on Sunday

Alpine World Cup Finals run March 14 through 19

Ski cross World Cup Finals are at Craigleith Ski Club in Collinwood, Ontario, next weekend with racing on Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18.  

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For more information or media inquiries please contact
Mark Halliday 
mhalliday@alpinecanada.org I 403-777-3204

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. In 2020/21, Alpine Canada celebrated 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.