 Click for larger image |
 Click for larger image |
Calgary, Alberta (January 4, 2006) – Six of Canada's top young alpine ski athletes have been selected to participate in the Rising Star J1 European Experience Program, a unique opportunity to compete in Europe against some of the world's best skiers in their age category. Jesse Shepherd (ON), Kate Ryley (ON), Brandon Mudryk (AB), Kelly McBroom (AB), Trevor Rose (BC), Elli Terwiel (BC) were selected by their respective provincial ski organizations to participate in the exciting program.
Funded by Alpine Canada Alpin, these top J1 skiers (15 and 16-year-olds) will participate in a two-week European racing and training tour from Jan. 14th to Feb. 2nd. The skiers will race in junior events in Italy and Austria, including the Austrian Junior Technical Championships.
“It's going to be a tremendous chance for these young athletes to be exposed to an extremely high level of competition. It's a great opportunity to race against athletes that are the same age from different countries,” said Mark Sharp, Alpine Canada Alpin's National Technical Director.
“It will be a chance for them to confirm to themselves where they fit in the big picture,” added Sharp.
Sharp described it as a very intense tour, with 10 events planned over the course of 14 days. He said the group will also have a lot of fun watching the world's best alpine skiers, including some of their Canadian heroes, by attending a Men's World Cup slalom event in Schladming (Aut.) on Jan. 24.
“This is a unique night slalom that's recognized on the World Cup circuit as consistently having some of the biggest crowds with over 50,000 fans often attending. It will be a very interesting and enjoyable experience for our young skiers,” said Sharp.
For more information on the National Development Camps, please contact Mark Sharp by e-mail at msharp@canski.org.