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Canadian Alpine Ski Team veteran Ryan Oughtred has announced he is retiring from competition. Oughtred, 26, of Kelowna, B.C., decided to hang up his skis after one last Nor Am Cup race in March at Nakiska, Alta., on the same hill where his career almost ended when he tore knee ligaments four seasons ago.
“I knew Nakiska was my last race and I felt sad going up the chair,” Oughtred said. “I had all those memories about growing up and wanting to be the best in the world.”
Oughtred said he wasn't skiing as fast as he wanted to this season and his confidence suffered. He was disappointed at failing to crack the top-30 and qualify for any second runs in his World Cup giant slaloms this year.
“I always had the commitment and I was always prepared to put in the work. I love the sport,” Oughtred said. “I had a lot of fun racing, but I'm most proud of coming back from those surgeries. I was out of racing for a year and a half and there were a lot of days when I thought I'd be limping around for the rest of my life.”
Joze Sparovec, vice-president of athletics for Alpine Canada Alpin, said Oughtred will be missed on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. “Ski racing is often looked at as an individual sport, but there are many people who make up our team,” said Sparovec. “Ryan was one of our classy guys. He loved racing and gave it all he had.”
Oughtred has been a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team since 1995 and was ranked as high as 40th in the world in giant slalom. He won the Nor Am Cup overall giant slalom title in 1997, and since his comeback, he has been pushing tech team leaders Thomas Grandi and Jean-Phillipe Roy to better results.
Oughtred has a full collection of national championship giant slalom medals, winning the 1997 Canadian title ahead of Edi Podivinsky and Cary Mullen, placing third last season, then second behind Roy at this year's Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships in Whistler. “To be on the podium with Edi and Cary was special,” Oughtred said. “And losing to J.P.? I'm okay with that – he's a great skier.”
The only child in a ski racing family, Oughtred grew up racing for Apex, Silver Star then Big White resorts. His parents, Cliff Oughtred and Amanda Shaw are both ski instructors, coaches, and technical delegates.
“This sport has given back so much more than I ever imagined it could. Through my years as a racer, I have come across so many amazing individuals that made this sport possible. Like your typical teenager, I took for granted all of the work and heart that went into those races,” Oughtred said. “If only there were a way to let all of those people know how much I have valued their help and participation – all so that I could simply have a chance to find out just how good I could be. Well, I found out, and I am forever grateful.”