by Kathy Stahr | May 13, 2020 | Member News
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Calgary, Alta. (May 13, 2020) – Canadian ski racing fans had their say with thousands submitting nominations and marking their ballot for the Audi 2020 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen, which closed on April 17.
The annual awards recognize the best in Canadian ski racing performances and contributions over the past season. All votes and nominations were tallied and reviewed by the Audi Canadian Ski Racing Awards’ Selection Committee. The committee, made up of volunteers from across the ski racing world, ensured that the selection process was fair, engaging, and productive. This year’s recipients are:
- Alpine Male Athlete of the Year: Erik Read
- Alpine Female Athlete of the Year: Laurence St-Germain
- Para-Alpine Male Athlete of the Year: Mac Marcoux
- Para-Alpine Male Athlete of the Year Honourable Mention: Alexis Guimond
- Para-Alpine Female Athlete of the Year: Mollie Jepsen (West Vancouver, BC)
- Ski Cross Male Athlete of the Year: Kevin Drury
- Ski Cross Female Athlete of the Year: Marielle Thompson (Whistler, BC)
- Ski Cross Female Athlete of the Year Honourable mention: Courtney Hoffos (Windermere, BC)
- Helly Hansen Volunteer of the Year Award: Henry Voss (West Vancouver, BC)
- Nancy Greene Builder Award: Hugh MacNaught (North Vancouver, BC)
- Helly Hansen Resort of the Year: Bromont, montagne d’expériences
- Club of the Year: Georgian Peaks
- Coach of the Year (high-performance): Johnny Kucera
- Coach of the Year (grassroots): Conrad Pridy (Whistler, BC)
- Minogue Award of Excellence: Cameron Alexander (North Vancouver, BC)
“We’re extremely proud of all the athletes who competed this past winter,” said Damien Etchaubard, Director of Marketing for Helly Hansen Canada. “These awards celebrate the people who make ski racing possible and Helly Hansen is proud to support such amazing athletes, volunteers, and ski areas. We hope these awards motivate all the professionals and aspiring pros to keep following their dreams and to work hard in making them a reality.”
This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award has been awarded to Henry Voss of Vancouver B.C.
“No event, large or small, can happen without the tremendous efforts of Volunteers. Helly Hansen is proud to support the volunteers who make skiing and ski racing possible and congratulates Henry Voss on the exceptional effort put into last season,” said Etchaubard.
The recipients of the Audi 2020 Canadian Ski Racing Awards presented by Helly Hansen will be part of Alpine Canada’s 2020-21 Season Launch Event and will be presented in Toronto this fall.
by Kathy Stahr | May 12, 2020 | Member News
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Calgary, AB (May 12, 2020) – “Alpine Canada Alpin President and Chief Executive Officer Vania Grandi today announced her resignation from her position with the organization.
As a Board, we thank her for her contributions to the program as an athlete and leader. Her passion, experience, and deep understanding of alpine ski racing has been a benefit to our athletes and programs.
Alpine Canada Alpin Board Member Mark Wiseman has agreed to take on interim CEO duties on a part-time basis. Alpine Canada Board Member and former World Champion Erik Guay will work in an executive capacity for the Board with a focus on all performance-related matters.
We have also formed an Executive Committee of Management, including High Performance Director, Ski Cross, David Ellis; High Performance Director, Para-Alpine, Matt Hallat; High Performance Director, Alpine, Phil McNichol; Senior Manager, Coach Education, Jenni Stielow; and Chief Financial Officer, Consuelo Zayas, to protect the long-term continuity of our operations and ensure our members have access to high-quality competition, coaching, and training resources.
The Board has commenced a search process, working with executive search firm Caldwell, to identify a long-term replacement. The job posting can be found on the Caldwell webpage here.”
For media inquiries please contact:
Whitney Hunter I Manager of Communications
whunter@alpinecanada.org I 403-471-6032
ABOUT ALPINE CANADA
Alpine Canada is the governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada, as well as for Canadian ski coaches, providing education, certification, insurance and compliance with the coaching code of conduct. With the support of valued corporate partners and donors, along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Coaching Association of Canada, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, World Championship and World Cup athletes to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community. In 2020, Alpine Canada celebrates 100 years of rich tradition in competitive skiing in Canada.
by Anders Hestdalen | May 6, 2020 | Member News
To all BC Alpine members and clubs:
The Provincial Government has requested that viaSport (BC Alpine’s link to government) develop a framework that supports a Return-to-Sport plan for all organized sport. Being that all sports are different, early indications note that the framework will be wide, phased-in, and must comply with any restrictions the health authorities have in place, both now and as they are adjusted over time.
ViaSport’s Sport Framework will require approval from the government. Each sport (Provincial Sport Organization) will then need to develop its own Return-to-Sport plan that fits within viaSport’s Framework and adheres to the health authorities’ requirements. Our individual sport plan will also require approval from the Government through ViaSport before it can be shared with BC Alpine member clubs.
We will publish timelines as we get more information and will develop BC Alpine’s plan as soon as we get the framework from ViaSport.
Stay safe and healthy!
by Kathy Stahr | May 4, 2020 | Member News
Girls Fast Forward Speaker Series – Episode #1: Transitioning to FIS
Join GFF and Antonia Wearmouth as she speaks about her journey, moving into FIS from U16, up to the Provincial team and racing as a NCAA student-athlete.
All BC female U16 and FIS athletes are invited Tues. May 12 @ 16:00 PST/17:00 MST via Zoom
GFF thinks Toni is awesome, and we want you to hear her story! She is currently a NCAA student-athlete at Montana State University (Go Bobcats!) majoring in Environmental Engineering, minoring in sustainability (no big deal). 
Toni’s Ski Journey: Grouse Tyee (#Grau5) → Vancouver Ski Team → BCST (‘14-’18) → NCAA New Mexico (Go Lobos, ‘18-’19) → Montana State (Go Bobcats, ‘19 – present) *She sprinkled a little U16/FIS coaching for Grouse Tyee!
Best Ski Racing Memory: Skiing fast is fun, but the best memory is when Sam Mulligan and I did the “Grouse 24 Hours of Winter”. We trained Saturday, skied all through the night for fun, trained Sunday Morning and skied until the end of the day. We skied over 115 runs!
Fav thing to do on skis: Spring Slush Bumps
Next best activity: Unicycling & Mountain Biking, and mix in some Frolf
Best Quote/Advice: When I was the 3rd racer from the start, at U18 Nationals, Coach Greg grabbed my pole and threw it down the start ramp. I had to run down and get it and he told me that I needed to “overcome adversity”. “Feeling Pain is better than feeling nothing at all” – Mike Janyk
Random Fun Fact: I’ve received medical care in almost every continent & have roller bladed the sea wall more than once
Activities I have dislocated my shoulder doing: Skiing, frolfing, sleeping, riding a chairlift (thanks Riley), grabbing a back pack, tightening my booster straps and many more.
Big Shout outs:
- Tyee Club Cabin Hot Dog supplier (@mikejanyk)
- Fall Line Fitness water bottles for keeping me hydrated (@falllinefitness, @danirobson)
- Ryan Jazic’s “On-the-road 1 Person/1 Pot” cooking tips (@ryanjazic)
GFF is stoked to have Toni to kick start our series! To get the ZOOM LINK – Email girlsfastforward@gmail.com or message us @girlsfastforward on instagram
by Kathy Stahr | Apr 30, 2020 | Member News
DEADLINE TO NOMINATE IS MAY 31, 2020
1. Club Development of the Year
Criteria
- This BC Alpine ski club has illustrated growth and significant improvement or leadership during the current season
Award
- Trophy presented to one club per year
Application/Nomination
Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/
Criteria
- open to all levels, no restrictions
- well organized and fun for racers and volunteers
- exceptional and compelling event for the community
Award
- Trophy presented to one club per year for hosting the winning race event
Application/Nomination
Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/
Criteria
- This resort showed extraordinary support for the local ski club (its events and members) throughout the current season
Award
- Trophy presented to one Mountain Resort per year
Application/Nomination
Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/
Criteria
- Dedication and commitment to volunteering at the club or zone level
Award
- Four (4) trophies awarded – one for each zone: Coast, Kootenay, North & Okanagan
Application/Nomination
Selection
- BC Alpine Awards Committee makes the final selection for this award
Criteria
- A continued dedication to the Officials' program and the sport of ski racing by serving as a committed BC Alpine Official over a period of several seasons
- As a result of his or her contributions, this Official has helped ski racing continue at the highest level in the province, offering participating athletes the best opportunities for advancement in their pursuit of excellence in the sport.
Application/Nomination
Award
- Trophy awarded to one Official per season
Selection
- BC Alpine Officials Committee makes the final selection for this award.
Criteria
- This individual's volunteer efforts are exceptional
- His or her level of commitment contributes to the betterment of the club, zone and province
- The contributions can be on or off the hill
Award
- One trophy awarded per season
Application/Nomination
Selection
- BC Alpine awards committee makes the final selection for this award.
by Kathy Stahr | Apr 30, 2020 | Member News
DEADLINE TO NOMINATE IS MAY 31, 2020
1. Dave Murray Bursary
Criteria
Awarded to two BC athletes based on the following:
- Financial need
- Athletic ability / Sportsmanship / Leadership
- Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
- Priority given to U19 level athletes
Award
About the Award
- Founded in 1987 by friends of Dave Murray after a fundraiser
Application/Nomination
Selection
- BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award
Criteria
Awarded to two individuals based on:
- Leadership and dedication to the sport of ski racing
- Financial need
- Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
- Priority is given to U19 level athletes
Award
About the Award
- Bob Parsons was the original weasel worker at the Whistler World Cup.
Application/Nomination
Criteria
- U16 level athletes only
- Financial need
- Potential to rise to the top of ski racing in Canada
- Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
About the Award
- The Ski Canada Bursary is available for not-for-profit ski organizations and groups across Canada.
Award
- $1,000 awarded to one athlete OR $500 each to one male and one female athlete
Application/Nomination
Selection
- BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award
Criteria
- This athlete has displayed the most sportsmanlike conduct
Award
- Trophy for one male and one female athlete
Application/Nomination
Selection
- BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award
