WHISTLER, B.C. (April 1, 2014) — Eighteen talented up-and-coming athletes from across the country have been selected to represent Canada at the 22nd annual Whistler Cup from April 4-6 in Whistler, B.C, where more than 400 athletes from around the world will vie for the coveted Nations’ Cup title – one Canada successfully reclaimed at last year’s event.
The Whistler Cup, presented by Rio Tinto Alcan, is one of the most prestigious events in the world for aspiring World Cup racers aged 12-15, who will put it all on the line in super-G, slalom and giant slalom over three days of racing in Whistler.
Nine men and nine women from Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia will fly the flag for Team Canada, and will strive to defend the Nations’ Cup title earned by Team Canada at last year’s event in a fierce battle against Team Norway, which placed second. The Canadians will compete against athletes from 25 different countries.
"This is really the highlight of the year, and a chance to showcase what the bestyoung athletes in the country are doing," said Rob Boyd of Whistler Mountain Ski Club, a former Canadian Alpine Ski Team athlete and World Cup winner who is head coach for the Canadian Whistler Cup team.
"There are definitely some athletes on the team who have performed very well this season. It will be the first time for them to work together as a nation under the same umbrella like this, which is the neat thing about the Whistler Cup.
"Representing Canada is a big part of this event,” he added. “Bringing some pride and patriotism to the team is something special for everyone."
The athletes named to the Canadian team will gather in Whistler for a preparation camp prior to the start of racing, which will help determine the composition of the final teams; the 18 Canadian athletes will be divided into men’s and women’s Team Canada 1, 2 and 3.
"I look forward to seeing how we can get the athletes representing Canada to peak and be at the highest level they can be during the competition,” Boyd said. “Our goal is to claim the Whistler (Nations’) Cup. In doing so, we of course will be aiming for podium finishes. When the athletes are skiing their best, anything is possible…I think we've got a pretty darn good chance.”
TEAM CANADA – WOMEN
Zoe Belczyk – Alberta – Sunshine Alpine Racers
Sydney Bezenar – Alberta – Sunshine Alpine Racers
Catherine Dufresne – Quebec – Tremblant Ski Club
Frederique Le Roux – Quebec – Mt-Ste-Anne Ski Club
Beatrix Lever – Quebec – Cassacade Ski Club
Annika Naciuk – Alberta – Edmonton Ski Club
Soleil Patterson – British Columbia – Red Mountain Racers
Laura Swaffield – British Columbia – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Marina Vilanova – Quebec – Tremblant Ski Club
TEAM CANADA – MEN
Justin Alkier – Ontario – National Ski Academy
Kelvin Cochrane – Alberta – Banff Alpine Racers
Lewis Darling – Alberta – Team Panorama
Adrien Grabinski – Alberta – Sunshine Alpine Racers
Finn Iles – British Columbia – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Christopher Jones – Quebec – Tremblant Ski Club
Max Kirshenblatt – British Columbia – Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Griffin Copp – Ontario – National Ski Academy
Louis Philippe Noel – Quebec – Orford Ski Club
SCHEDULE: To view an event schedule and for more information about the Whistler Cup, presented by Rio Tinto Alcan, go to http://www.whistlercup.com
LIVE TIMING: Follow the Whistler Cup via live timing, at http://www.live-timing.com/index.php
MEDIA ACCREDITATION: Members of the media wishing to attend the Whistler Cup, presented by Rio Tinto Alcan, are asked to apply through the followinglink: http://www.whistlercup.com/en/media/SitePages/Home.aspx
INFORMATION
On site contact:
Janice Avon
Whistler Cup 2013
C 778.378.5474
janiceavon11@gmail.com
http://www.whistlercup.com
Kelsey Verboom
Manager, web content | Gestionnaire du contenu Web
Alpine Canada Alpin
Suite 302, 151 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5R5
C 403.479.9516
kverboom@alpinecanada.org
http://alpinecanada.org