Smithers, BC (March 31, 2015) – Chris Del Bosco, of Montreal, who is no stranger to the podium battled his fellow national team members, as well as the up-and-coming generation of ski cross athletes to win the Sport Chek Canadian National Championship title. On the women’s side, this year’s title went to rising star India Sherret.
Hudson Bay Mountain, with the support of the Tabor Mountain course builders, built a track which provided the chance for both up-and-coming and veteran athletes to battle it out for the 2015 National Championship title and that they did. It was up-and-coming India Sherret who claimed the Women’s National Champion title. Abby McEwen finished 2nd and Zoe Chore was 3rd. The trio also claimed the Women’s Junior National Championship podium in the same order.
“The race went really well for me, I was skiing really well especially at the starts, got pole shot after the first set of rollers and even though my technical skiing wasn’t super on point I was skiing well enough to keep the lead while working through all the features to take the win,” explained Sherret. “It is really exciting to be this year’s National Champion.”
The community of Smithers, Hudson Bay Mountain and Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club provided an incredible atmosphere for spectator’s to cheer and watch all the races.
At the Ski Cross National Championship Banquet, on behalf of Alpine Canada Alpin, the Canadian Ski Cross team presented the following awards:
2015 Alpine Canada Alpin – Ski Cross Awards
Top Performer Junior
Awarded to the top U21 athlete in Canada based on performance, committee recommendations and High Performance staff input
o Male: Kris Mahler
o Female: India Sherett
Top Performer World Cup
Awarded to the top World Cup athlete in Canada based on performance, committee recommendations and High Performance staff input
o Male: Brady Leman (Bronze medal: Val Thorens, FR & Silver: Megeve, FR. Pass of the year in Megeve!)
o Female: Marielle Thompson (3 World Cup victories)
Nik Zoricic Award
Awarded to an athlete who best represents sportsmanship, dedication to their sport and teammates
o Male : Louis-Pierre Helie
o Female: Marielle Thompson
Best Race Organizing Committee (ROC)
Awarded to the best ROC based on their event quality, volunteers, officials, organization and passion towards the sport of ski cross
o Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club (SSSC) – SSSC hosted the Canadian Championships with 1 week notice after Tabor Mountain had to cancel due to limited snow. Congulations to Gary Huxtable, Jan Wenglin, Phil Bernier, their team of volunteers and the Hudson Bay Resort for hosting an incredible National Championships.
o Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST) – FAST hosted the Western Canadian Ski Cross series and ski cross NorAm event with challenging weather and snow conditions. Their ROC developed a new model for organizing athletes and communication between finishing heat results and the starter. Congratulations to Rodd Timm, Lyle Skaien, Gordon Reese and their ROC.
Best Ski Cross Track
Awarded to the best ski cross track in Canada
o Tabor Mountain Resort – hosted the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Their course was designed by Jeff Ihaksi of White Industries along the passion and knowledge of the resort owners Fern Thibault and his son Mitch. It is truly a best standard for Canadian ski resorts as the course can easily accommodate entry level competitions to World Cup events.
Best Ski Club of the Year
Awarded to the best ski club in Canada for creating pathways for athletes interested in pursuing ski cross at Provincial, National and International levels
o Alberta Ski Cross Association (ABSX) – The ABSX program is designed to improve alpine technical skills and ski cross skills and has an inventory of ski cross specific training equipment to help optimize athlete-training environments.
Sport Development Leader
Awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions to the development pathway of ski cross in Canada.
o Jim Hemlin – Jim has started a ski cross specific club in Mount Saint Marie, Quebec. The club focuses on ski cross with technical elements of GS skiing to enhance skill improvement for athletes in their program. In collaboration with the ski area they have built a full time ski cross training environment.
Coach of the Year
Awarded to a coach who has demonstrated continued progression in their coaching and success with their athletes
o Sead Causevic – Sead has led his athletes to podiums at the Europa Cup and NorAm level events. He has continued to work towards his level 4 coach and successfully passed task 9 of his Advanced Coaching Diploma.
Provincial Sport Development Leader
Awarded to a Provincial Sport Organization who has promoted and created growth in the sport of ski cross
o BC – Thank you Gordie Bowles and Bruce Goldsmid for their vision, creation and implementation of the Western Canadian SX Series in BC
o AB – Thank you to Cam Stephens and Nigel Loring for their organization and implementation of the Western Canadian SX Series in AB
Official of the Year
Awarded to an individual who has made significant contributions to the development of ski cross officiating and officials in Canada
o Paul Plotz – Paul has been involved in the writing of the level 1 & 2 Officials program in Canada. He has been an official at more than 7 World Cup events and is one of the lead Technical Delegates in Canada for Ski Cross.
Volunteer of the Year
Awarded to an individual(s) who has made significant contributions to the sport of ski cross through their involvement in regional, provincial, national and international events
o Dan and Suzanne Velcic – Dan and Suzanne have been instrumental across all levels of competition in ski cross in Canada. Their continued dedication to the sport of ski cross is evident in the fact that Suzanne has been the Race secretary in the past 3 Canadian Championships while Dan has been the starter for most FIS ski cross events in Canada. Ski Cross events in Canada would not be where it is today if it were not for Dan and Suzanne.
Lifetime Achievement
Awarded to an individual(s) who has significant contributions to the sport of ski cross and whose dedication has enable the sport to grow in Canada
o Dave Ellis – Dave was the face of Canada Ski Cross for 6 years and led the team to two Olympic gold and one silver medals in 2010 and 2014. His leadership and passion for ski cross and development of the sport at all levels continues to grow each year.
o Dave Pym – Dave was the mastermind behind the creation of the Canada Ski Cross program prior to the 2010 Olympics. He represents the sport at the FIS level and is a walking encyclopedia of the rules which govern all winter sports
o Cam Bailey – Cam was the first CEO of Canada Ski Cross and led the program through the 2010 Olympics. He is a passionate supporter of the team and his fundraising efforts helped grow the sport across Canada.