Nineteen-year-old Canadian skis into IPC World Championships with new hardware and confidence

Zagreb, CRO (Jan. 17, 2019) – Canada’s Frédérique (Fred) Turgeon Candiac, Que./Club de ski Bromont) didn’t let warmer temperatures and softer snow conditions keep her off the podium in the final slalom race of the World Cup opener in Zagreb, Croatia, on Thursday.

Race organizers worked tirelessly to ensure a great race, and Turgeon turned that work into gold, posting a two-run time of 2:16.96 for another commanding win over the rest of the field.

“Overall, my leg was very tired, and I felt my second run was slow. The softer snow conditions make it harder for me to stay balanced, but I’m still very happy with what I did,” said Turgeon, who will be joining her fellow Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team mates for the IPC World Championships, Jan. 21-Feb. 1, in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and Sella Nevea, Italy.

Turgeon earned her first World Cup podium – and win – in Zagreb on Wednesday.

“I am heading (to Worlds) with confidence and knowing I’m strong enough,” said Turgeon of the role competing in this week’s World Cup races played in her preparation for the World Championship. “A podium (at Worlds) would be extraordinary, but I’m concentrating on my racing, on having fun, and my goal of getting a top-five.”

The World Para-Alpine Skiing Championship kicks off next Monday, is available on the CPC Facebook Page, the CBC Gem app, and selective races will be available at radio-canada.ca/sports. For a full schedule of the Paralympic Super Series events available through streaming coverage, please visit CBCSports.ca.

Canadians can support national team athletes such as Turgeon and her teammates on the para-alpine, alpine, and ski cross national teams by enjoying a day on the slopes themselves. Alpine Canada has partnered with the Canadian Ski Council, Snowboard Canada, and Freestyle Canada – as well as more than 100 Canadian ski resorts across the country – to deliver National Ski and Snowboard Day, Jan. 26-27, 2019. Proceeds from every ticket purchased at HitTheSlopes.ca go back into supporting Canada’s high-performance athletes in alpine, para-alpine, ski cross, freestyle, and snowboarding.

Celebrate today’s podium results by joining the Medallists’ Circle

For the 2018-19 ski racing season, Alpine Canada is inviting ski fans to join the Medallists’ Circle. Donors are invited to commit a pledge for each podium performance by an Alpine Canada athlete this season at World Cup and World Championship events. All funds raised through the Medallists’ Circle will provide Canada’s alpine, para-alpine, and ski cross athletes with the resources needed to reach for the podium. For further information, please visit AlpineCanada.org.