Famed Canadian racer Rob Boyd will return to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team as head coach of the talent-rich women's Super G and Giant Slalom Team, Alpine Canada Alpin President Ken Read announced Tuesday. The appointment of Canada's most successful male racer since the Crazy Canuck era was made during a news conference at GM Place in Vancouver.
Boyd is the last Canadian male to win a World Cup downhill race on home soil – an unmatched feat accomplished in 1989 at Whistler, site of the alpine events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Boyd, 38, who retired from World Cup competition in 1997 having won three World Cup downhill races, finished on the podium six times and recorded 28 top 15 finishes during a 12 year career on the Canadian National Team. He also qualified for five World Championships and three Olympics. “The opportunity to help build our women's team towards the 2010 Olympics in Canada comes around once in a lifetime,” said Boyd, who for the past two seasons has been teaching the 13 and 14 year olds at the Whistler Mountain Ski Club. “These are our Olympics, our athletes, and we intend to work non-stop to make Canadians proud.”
Emily Brydon, the Fernie BC racer coming off a stellar rebuilding season with consistent top 15 finishes in World Cup speed events, said: “To bring a skiing legend, a great Canadian racer, into the program at this time is simply awesome for us. Success doesn't just happen over night. It takes hard work. This is a great step forward for 2006 and our ultimate goal of the 2010 Olympics.”
Boyd takes over a team filled with explosive potential, including reigning World Downhill Champion Melanie Turgeon, the Quebec racer who could not compete last season due to injury. Last year Canada's World Cup women's speed season concluded with a final Super G at Sestrieres, Italy with Genevi
ALPINE CANADA NAMES ROB BOYD TO HEAD WOMEN'S SPEED TEAM
