Canadian contingent qualified through alpine racing events at Canada Games

Calgary, Alta. (March 11, 2019) – Alpine Canada has named the 12 alpine racers selected to represent the nation at the 27th edition of the Whistler Cup, fielding two teams at the annual juvenile ski racing event at Whistler-Blackcomb April 11-14 in Whistler, B.C.

The six female and six male racers will make up two mixed teams and were selected based on Alpine Canada’s previously published selection criteria:

• Alexis Barabe (Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Que./Club de ski Saint-Sauveur)
• Aleksas Valadka (Oakville, Ont./Georgian Peaks Ski Club)
• Arianne Forget (Saint Jérôme, Que./Club de competition Belle Neige-S1 Racing)
• Britt Richardson (Canmore, Alta./Calgary Alpine Racing Club)
• Cydnie Timmermann (Calgary/Banff Alpine Racers)
• Hemming Sola (Summerland, B.C./Apex Ski Club)
• Hugo Culver (Westmount, Que./Club de ski Tremblant)
• Marie-Pier Brunet (Bromont, Que./ Club de competition Belle Neige-S1 Racing)
• Makenna Lebsack (Calgary/Panorama Ski Team)
• Mathis Lafond (Bois-des-Fillions, Que./EDLS-Chantecler)
• Penny Robinson (Thunder Bay, Ont./Thunder Bay Franco Alpine Ski Team)
• Ryley Fergusson (Edmonton/Sunshine Alpine Racers)

“These 12 racers distinguished themselves through their performances at the Canada Games last month, where they represented their provinces with pride,” said Brien Perry, Director of Domestic Sport for Alpine Canada. “We are excited to now have them part of Team Canada where they can compete against their age group internationally at the Whistler Cup. More than a ski race, the Whistler Cup has become a true ski racing festival for the country’s – and the world’s – upcoming generation of top-performing ski racers.”

Among the multi-medallists from Canada Games selected to the Whistler Cup team are Forget (gold in giant slalom and super-G), Lebsack (silver in super-G, bronze in giant slalom), Richardson (silver in giant slalom, bronze in super-G), and Valadka (bronze in slalom and giant slalom, silver in super-G).

As part of the event, the Whistler Cup is awarded to the top-performing nation in both the U14 and U16 age categories based on overall points earned during the week’s race action. In addition, the Nancy Greene Award is presented for the top U14 and U16 performances by a Canadian female, and the Dave Murray award for the top performance by a Canadian male in the U14 and U16 age categories.

Ski fans and racers’ family and friends are also welcome to attend the parade of nations and opening ceremonies on Thursday, April 11, and the awards and closing ceremonies on Sunday, April 14 at the main stage at Skiers’ Plaza.

The race schedule includes men’s and ladies’ U16 super-G racing on April 11, followed by the technical events for both the U14 and U16s April 12-14.