Calgary, Alberta. (February 9, 2023) — The 2023 calendar year couldn’t be starting much better for Frédérique Turgeon’s (Candiac, QC), who picked up her second downhill podium in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, AUT and third podium finish this season.

Skiing with confidence after winning the first women’s standing world cup downhill on Wednesday, Turgeon raced to a second-place finish this morning, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:17.53, just behind Germany’s Anna-Maria Rieder in first place.

“Today went pretty okay for me, I think I skied really well in some sections, but then I actually slowed down on purpose towards the end, which is not something you want to do in order to win a downhill, and unfortunately, I did not,”  Turgeon said.

“I’m still in line to win the downhill globe. It’s promising, it’s really exciting, and second place isn’t bad today. I’m still quite happy with it, knowing that I made such a big mistake.”

Turgeon will race the next two upcoming Super-Gs’ in Saalbach-Hinterglemm and believes that she can get on the podium in the discipline to continue her strong season.

In the men’s standing event, Alexis Guimond (Gatineau, QC) finished just off the podium as he did in the first race, clocking a time of 1:10.26—good for fourth place, and building on his fifth-place result from the opening event.

“Today wasn’t the easiest day, I didn’t feel great at the start of the day, but I think I got the most that I could today out of the race,” Guimond said.  “I pushed and gave it my all, I’m not satisfied with my result, but considering the situation, I’m happy to be back in the top four again.”

For Kurt Oatway (Calgary, AB) in the men’s sitting event, recovering from a lingering stomach bug continued to hold him back as he skied to a fifth-place finish. At the same time, the difficult snow conditions bounced him around in some critical spots, pushing him outside of the top three.

“All in all, the race series hasn't gone the way I've been wanting so far, but there are still two more super-G’s in the next few days, and my health is trending in the right direction, so I'll be putting my max effort in for those."

The Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) continues their world cup season—the first under FIS governance—on Friday when they take on the first of two super-G races in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.

Upcoming Races

The 2023 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Courchevel and Méribel, France continues into next week with speed and tech events wrapping up on Feb 19.

Ski cross returns to World Cup racing in Reiteralm, Austria, February 16 and 17.

Para Alpine will be racing slalom events in Kitzbuehel, Austria, on Feb 28/29 and their next speed event in Sella Nevea, Italy from March 9-12.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Mark Halliday | media@alpinecanada.org | (+1) 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.