Coaching Duos Dale Stephens and Darren Thorburn join BC Alpine Coaching Staff.
Dale Stephens and Darren Thorburn were named Friday as the Coaching Team of the Men's BC Alpine Ski Team for the 2002/2003 season.
With two decades of combined racing and coaching experience Stephens and Thorburn will be the coaching combination to watch this season. The records speak for themselves with Thorburn's nine years racing World Cup and Stephens' 11 years coaching World Cup athletes.
Stephens who just wrapped up three years as Head Coach of the US Men's Speed Team packs a formidable resume. On the World Cup circuit he had 18 top-10 athletes, two wins and four podiums all tolled. Prior to his stint with the US Ski Team, Stephens spent seven years with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, four of which were spent as the Canadian Alpine Ski Team World Cup Men's Downhill Coach where he coached racing legends Rob Boyd, Edi Podivinsky, Brian Stemmle, Cary Mullen, Roman Torn, Ralf Socher, Murray Smith and Darren Thorburn. Also under Stephens' tutelage, American's Daron Rahlves and Chad Fleischer picked up four World Cup podiums and two World Championship podiums.
Thorburn who was most recently a North Zone Head Coach for Alberta has a substantial reputation. A World Cup athlete for nine years with a fifth place finish in 1993 in Val Gardena and two Europe Cup podiums, Thorburn is no stranger to elite level racing or coaching. As a coach, he spent two years with the Alberta Team followed by a year coaching the Men's Downhill Team for Canada.
“BC Alpine is excited,” says BC Alpine General Manager, Bruce Goldsmid. “It is not often that one can hire coaches with 20 plus years of World Cup and international experience. Dale and Darren will be a powerhouse coaching team that may well yield one of the best quality men's programs in the country, if not North America. They are a tremendous addition to our provincial program.”
BC Alpine is committed to bringing to our communities fun, challenge, and opportunities for personal excellence through participation and competition in alpine ski racing.
-30-
For more information please contact:
Sue-Lynda Gratton
Communications Manager
BC Alpine Ski Association
604.737.3071
Email: skiboss@bcalpine.com
Website: www.bcalpine.com