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A group of Canada's top J1 alpine skiers wrapped up a successful tour of Europe Thursday and returned to Canada with valuable experience and knowledge about their sport at an international level.
The Rising Star J1 European Experience Program, an intense 10-event training and racing tour that took place from January 14th to February 2nd, was tremendously successful and provided an awesome benchmark for the athletes, said Alpine Canada Alpin's National Technical Director Mark Sharp.
Sharp said Jesse Shepherd (ON), Kate Ryley (ON), Brandon Mudryk (AB), Kelly McBroom (AB), Trevor Rose (BC), Elli Terwiel (BC), who were all selected by their respective provincial ski organizations to participate in the exciting European tour, gained valuable exposure to ski racing at an international level.
“Our plan went well,” Sharp said. “The group was thrilled to be part of this experience. They go back home tired, having raced and trained an intense schedule, but a week later they'll look back and say, 'We did it!”
“This was a big eye opener for them and an awesome benchmark to see how they are progressing,” he added.
The boys began with two days of super G and giant slalom training in Alpbach, Austria. A boys giant slalom races scheduled for Maria Alm, Austria Jan. 18th and 19th had to be cancelled due to snowfall while the girls were participating in super G races in Castelrotto, Italy Jan. 17th and 18th.
The team then went to Piancavallo, Italy for Italian national junior races including a slalom, giant slalom and two super G events January 21st to 23rd, a competition highlighted by a Canadian girls podium sweep in the GS.
The boys and girls participated in slalom and giant slalom events at the Austrian junior championships in Hinterstoder, Austria January 30th to February 2nd.
Team members also had 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 January 24.
For more information on the National Development Camps, please contact Mark Sharp by e-mail at msharp@canski.org.