Alberta Racer

RacerAN INSIDE LOOK AT SKI RACING IN ALBERTA

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ALBERTA

World Cup to Kinder CupThomas Grandi sets new vision for Alberta Alpine

Spring 2008 - Issue 1 www.albertaalpine.ca

Q&A Jan HudecMeet the Alberta Ski teamApogee steps up support


ALBERTA

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Content

Message From The President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Athlete Bios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Team Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Winds Of Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Q&A With Jan Hudec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Alberta Racer - Spring 2008

Thank You To All Our Sponsors


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On The CoverAlberta Alpine president and two-time World Cup winner

Thomas Grandi getting to know some of the skiers from ?? club.

Photo by Adam Hull.

Alberta Alpine Ski Association155, 88 Canada Olympic Road SW

Calgary, AB T3B 5R5

Phone: 403 247 5600 Fax: 403 247 5970

[email protected]

www.albertaalpine.ca

Graphic DesignCreative Engine

www.creative-engine.ca

WritersAdam HullRick Cook

Gordie Bowles

PhotographersACA Pentaphoto

Malcolm Carmichael??

Printed by Husky Energy

Editorial/Production BK Media Inc.

President’s MessageThomas Grandi

It has been with mixed emotions as I watch the recent flurry of races from behind the fences.

For so many years I was inside the fences, doing my best to go as fast as possible – while at the same time, staying out of them. Now as I watch, I sometimes – more frequently that I’d like – wish I was still putting it all on the line. In fact, earlier in the season I thought of making it policy that I would not race in any events, to maintain the healthy end of my career. But quickly, I realized the addition I could make to an Alberta Cup race and there I was strapping the boards back on pulling the bib overhead, doing up the chinstrap and throwing myself down the mountain.

Boy that was a good decision.

This has allowed me to see and feel the action first hand. Chat with racers and with coaches, officials and volunteers. The perfect way to get reacquainted with ski racing in Alberta.

One of the obvious aspects I have noticed being back on home snow is how blessed we are by the snow gods. The last few seasons in Europe you’d be hard pressed to find a slope with enough snow to put your drill into – and not have mud coming out before you were deep enough to set a screw gate. This is a perfect winter so far, not too cold, lots of snow and great racing and training conditions.

If the Europeans saw what we had to offer, boy would they be jealous. Everything in Alberta ski racing may not be perfect, but don’t forget just how lucky you are next time you get on the slopes and the conditions are, well, perfect.

It has been great to meet a lot of the voly’s out on the slopes. This dedicated group shows up just about every weekend to make sure the slopes are safe, well prepared the times are accurate and the blue dye is in all the right places. Which brings me to a little story I’ll share with you. One fine day as I was driving from Canmore to the office in Calgary and the snow was whipping and the trucks were spraying goop all over my windshield just as I was arriving at C.O.P., I ran out of windshield wiper fluid. As luck had it, I stepped into the office and there were two big jugs of the stuff…great! I grabbed one, opened the hood and poured it in and as I did I looked at the funny bright blue color, interesting…at the end of the day I pulled out and as the first squirt hit the windshield I realized that the funny blue color was the famous ski racing blue dye. I may be onto something here, as when it hits the windshield it’s a nice bright blue and does a fantastic job cleaning while leaving a blue haze behind. The next great AASA fundraiser might just be windshield washer fluid in all-different colors.

All kidding aside, I have seen some amazing skiing at all levels in Alberta. I have seen kids out enjoying the great sport that I still love. I have seen parents enjoying the sport with their kids. I have seen a passion for this great sport that I thought might have been waning. I have seen energy to improve upon our programs and always look for another edge. Alberta Alpine is in a transition, new president, soon to be new offices in Canmore. Please be patient as we explore new directions and fresh ideas.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the hills. And remember when in doubt, carve it out.

Thomas

Thomas Grandi President

Thomas is responsible for overall management

of Alberta Alpine. Reporting to the board of

directors, he is involved in helping to shape

the strategic direction of the organization.

Adam Hull Director, Business Development & Communications

Adam is responsible for management of all

communications and partnerships with Alberta

Alpine. He is in charge of the Association’s

promotional development and fulfillment.

Jim Davis High Performance Director

Jim is responsible for management of all

technical and athletic aspects of the

organization. Jim leads the planning of

Alberta’s racing programs and oversees

the management of the Alberta Ski Team.

Erin McCuaig Member Services Coordinator

Erin manages the front office of Alberta

Alpine and is the key contact person for all

clubs, members, and general inquiries.

In addition, Erin also takes on the

management of many key functions and

projects including webmaster and raffle.

Dale Miller Director, Finance

Dale is responsible for the financial

management of the association. Dale

handles the day to day administration

of Association funds.

Alberta Alpine Staff

My first year behind the fences.


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Cam Brewington

Date of Birth: January 24, 1988 Home Club: Calgary Alpine Racing Club Hometown: Calgary, Alberta Equipment Suppliers: Rossignol, Carrera, Gabel Favourite Event: Downhill

Future Goals: To win the overall Pontiac GMC Cup Series and to earn a spot on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team Why do you ski race: The adrenaline and speed Favourite Book: It’s Not About the Bike Favourite Food: Sushi Music in my iPod: Rap, Country Favourite Movie: 300 Non-ski activities: Motocross, water sports, work out Favourite Place to Visit: Blackfoot Motocross Park Favourite Ski Racer: Daron Rhalves Biggest Influence: Jason Lapierre

Michael Mackie

Date of Birth: December 16, 1989 Home Club: Banff Alpine Racers Hometown: Canmore, Alberta Equipment Supplier: Rossignol Favourite Event: Speed Future Goals: To represent Canada at the Olympics

Why do you ski race: I love going fast and carving turns on newly groomed runs Favourite Book: Into Thin Air Favourite Food: Gluten-free anything Music in my iPod: Alternative Favourite Movie: 300 Non-ski activities: Cooking, biking, water skiing, hiking Favourite Place to Visit: My hometown Favourite Ski Racer: Rob Bosinger

Tristan Tafel

Date of Birth: February 26, 1990 Home Club: Banff Alpine Racers Hometown: Canmore, Alberta Equipment Suppliers: Rossignol, Gabel. Carrera Favourite Events: Slalom and Giant Slalom

Future Goals: To win a Pontiac GMC race this year Why do you ski race: For the adventure and love of the sport Favourite Book: Hermann Maier – The Race of My Life Favourite Food: Sushi Music in my iPod: Rap and Country Favourite Movie: Zoolander Non-ski activity: Mountain biking Favourite Place to Visit: Whistler Favourite Ski Racers: Thomas Grandi and Jan Hudec

Alberta Development Ski Team

Alberta Alpine has a proud history of producing some of Canada’s best skiers, national champions, World Cup competitors and Olympic heroes.

Jan HudecJohn KuceraSherry LawrenceDanielle PoleschukShona Rubens

Gareth SinePaul StutzTrevor WhiteBrad Spence

Alberta Ski Team Alumni – currently on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team:

Alberta – Canadian Alpine Ski Team Alumni:

Cameron BarnesReto BarringtonPeter BosingerJessica DakersRob BosingerJeff DurandVania GrandiVanita HainingScott HendersonKeith HumfreyJim HunterBill IrwinMike IrwinChris KentLoni KlettlShane LeavittDiane LehodeyWendy LumbyAndrea MarchandDarin McBeathChris McCreadyDan McEachrenErin McEachren

Peter MonodPhilip MonodAnia MortonBlais MullenCary MullenChad MullenMegan MullenBrian O’RourkeCarolyn OughtonCheryl OughtonKaren PercyGord PercyEdi PodivinskyAnna PrchalJulie RabnettJim ReadMichael ReadKen ReadBob RooneyKeith ShepardAnn TaciukTasha TallasDarren Thorburn

Anya Holinski

Date of Birth: January 24, 1989 Home Club: Edmonton Alpine Sports Academy Home Town: Edmonton Equipment: Volkl, Technica, Carrera Favourite Discipline: Slalom

Career Goals: To take ski racing as far as I can Future Goals: To go to University and take nursing What I like about ski racing: The thrill, and the discipline it takes Accomplishments: Making the Alberta Ski Team Other Activities: Field Hockey Favourite music: Country Favourite movie: Wedding Crashers Favourite city: New York Favourite ski racer: Anja Paerson

Geoff Irwin

Date of Birth: March 10, 1988 Home Club: Banff Alpine Racers Hometown: Calgary, Alberta Equipment Supplier: Fischer Favourite Events: Giant Slalom and Slalom Future Goals: Make the

national team and win a World Cup Why do you ski race: Grew up racing, love the speed, competition and the fun Favourite Book: Facing Muhammad Ali Favourite Food: Cookies n’ cream Music in my iPod: Rap, R&B, country and alternative Favourite Movie: Rocky Non-ski activities: Soccer, golf, biking, basketball, hockey Favourite Place to Visit: Switzerland Favourite Ski Racer: Benjamin Reich

Stephanie Irwin

Date of Birth: August 21, 1990 Home Club: Banff Alpine Racers Hometown: Calgary, Alberta Equipment Suppliers: Rossignol, Gabel, Carrera Favourite Event: Downhill Future Goals: qualify for

the Canadian Alpine Ski Team and race for Canada in Vancouver 2010 Why do you ski race: I love the sport, snow and people Favourite Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns Favourite Food: Perogies Music in my iPod: Bob Marley Favourite Movie: 300 Non-ski activity: Soccer Favourite Place to Visit: Europe Favourite Ski Racer: Lindsey Kildow

Andrea Bliss

Date of Birth: September 6, 1989 Home Club: Edmonton Alpine Sports Academy Home Town: Edmonton Equipment: Volkl Favourite Discipline: Slalom and Giant Slalom

Future Goals: Making the Canadian National Ski Team What I like about ski racing: The friends, traveling, experiences, and success! Accomplishments: Winning my first Pontiac GMC Cup year 2006 - J1 National Champion Hobbies: Music, movies, shopping, dancing, cooking Favourite Music: Anything that’s good, except twang and yodeling Favorite Ski Racer: Allison Forsyth & Thomas Grandi

Brett Haney

Date of Birth: April 10, 1987 Home Club: NATC Hometown: Calgary, Alberta Equipment Supplier: Rossignol Favourite Event: Slalom Future Goals: Qualify for the National Ski Team

Why do you ski race: It’s the best job in the world! Favourite Book: Angels and Demons Favourite Food: Protein Powder Music in my iPod: Rock, hardcore, punk, and Alanis Morrissette. Favourite Movie: Donnie Darko Non-ski activities: Guitar, video games, soccer Favourite Place to Visit: Anywhere with white beaches Favourite Ski Racer: Manny Osborne-Paradis

Sean Alexander

Date of Birth: July 7, 1989

Home Club: Calgary Alpine Racing Club

Equipment Suppliers: Head/Tyrolia

Career Goals: To win the Overall World Cup Title

Why do you ski race: For the speed and the competition

Music in my iPod: Rap and Country

Favourite place to visit: Hintertux, Austria

Favourite ski racer: John Kucera

Alexa Birdgeneau

Date of Birth: February 1, 1990

Home Club: Fortress Alpine Ski Team, National Alpine Training Centre

Equipment Suppliers: Rossignol

Goals: Ski the World Cup circuit and go to the Olympics.

Why do you ski race: For the challenge and the experience of meeting people

Music in my iPod: Rock, indie, punk, alternative

Favourite Places to Visit: Scotland, France and ON

Favourite Ski Racer: Janica Kostelic

Philip Matejko

Date of Birth: December 14, 1990

Home Club: Banff Alpine Racers

Equipment Suppliers: Head / Tyrolia

Future Goals: To win a World Cup gold medal

Why do you ski race: For the rush and satisfaction

Music in my iPod: Hip Hop /Alternative

Favourite Place to Visit: Hornby Island, BC

Favourite Ski Racer: Hermann Maier

Tatum Monod

Date of Birth: October 21, 1990


Equipment Suppliers: Monod Sports, Rossignol

Favourite Events: Giant Slalom, Super G

Goals: The National Team and win a World Cup Giant Slalom.

Why do you ski race: I love the satisfaction of carving down a steep race course.

Music in my iPod: Everything! Literally

Favourite Place to Visit: My cottage in Ontario.

Favourite Ski Racer: Thomas Grandi

Terra Moran

Date of Birth: November 6, 1990

Home Club: National Alpine Training Centre/Kananaskis Alpine Racers

Equipment Suppliers: Rossignol, Uvex

Goals: To go as far as I can, have a successful career

Why do you ski race: The adrenaline rush and the feeling of crossing the finish line after a great run

Music in my iPod: Rock, punk, alternative

Favourite Place to Visit: Anywhere I haven’t been

Favourite Ski Racer: Thomas Grandi

Jamie Philp



Equipment Suppliers: Volkl/Tecnica, Carrera

Future Goals: To win a World Cup and go to the Olympics

Why do you ski race: It’s a lot of fun to set new goals and work hard to achieve them

Music in my iPod: Rap, rock

Favourite Place to Visit: Austria

Favourite Ski Racer: Daron Rahlves

Nicole Poleschuk


Home Club: National Alpine Training Centre

Equipment Suppliers: Rossignol, Carrera

Goals: To make it through the season injury free

Why do you ski race: Because I love it

Music in my iPod: Country

Favourite Place to Visit: Fernie, BC

Favourite Ski Racer: Kalle Pallendar

Erik Read

Date of Birth: May 31, 1991


Equipment Supplier: Salomon Skis, Boot & Bindings

Future Goals: To compete in the 2014 Olympics

Why do you ski race: I love to be out on the hill

Music in my iPod: Techno, Rap & Classic Rock

Favourite Places to Visit: Ontario and Europe

Favourite Ski Racer: Erik Guay

Curtis Timmons

Date of Birth: ?


Equipment Suppliers: Rossignol, Gabel, Carrera

Future Goals: To win an overall title

Why do you ski race: For the good times and the challenge

Music in my iPod: All kinds - depends on the mood

Favourite Place to Visit: Windermere, BC

Favourite Ski Racer: Davide Simoncelli

2007/08Meet the

ALBERTA T E A MSKI


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Alberta Alpine is proud to announce an

exciting initiative with Apogee Executive

Search. In addition to the two-year title

sponsorship of the K2 race series in

Alberta, Apogee has also agreed to

donate a percentage of each search

back to Alberta Alpine for every successful

search that can be directly linked to the

sponsorship relationship.

“Not only is Apogee supporting ski racing

from the grassroots in Alberta, they are

paying the ski community back for sending

them business,” said Alberta Alpine

President, Thomas Grandi. It’s great to

see one of our finest partners realize

some of the business advantages in

partnering with us.”

The changes to the national coach

development and education system have

been refreshing, and innovative to say

the least over the past few seasons.

As with any program design changes, the

waters have been turbulent at times, and

the environment, unpredictable. The biggest

challenge comes to those fearless captains

at the helm: keeping an even keel, ensuring

your crew is motivated, while trying to stay

true to the course without capsizing.

With so many new directives to consider

(coach licensing, education credits,

in the field mentoring and evaluations,

trained, certified, advanced certification,

and ongoing coach education and

development) many head coaches and

program directors feel like they are sinking.

For the coaches that are in the thick of

it, the journey through the certification

pathways can seem an eternity away

with no land in sight.

As with any challenging journey, the

captains need to look for solutions, and

create an action plan to make the journey

a success.

But before you feel completely adrift,

coaching development has been put on

the priority list for ACA, with the CSCF as its

messenger. The PSO’s have been given

the task of creating development strategies

to ensure that their captains can stay

afloat, and the crews stay motivated. This is

the biggest challenge that comes to mind,

as there are many ships in a large sea, and

many salty captains at the helm.

Alberta Alpine is your fleet commander,

planning the missions, and building

the ships. As for where the club and its

leaders fit, they are the hands on people,

working hard in the field with their

own set of challenges. The key to a safe

and effective voyage is communication

to your fleet commander, and looking

to them for the support to make your

challenges into solutions.

The more clubs can look to finding

innovative solutions to these challenges,

the easier the journey becomes, and the

greater the reward at the days end.

Consider looking at things like a mariner,

and seek out solutions to our challenges.

Together, we must be resourceful, and

try new approaches to keep our ships

sailing with the wind at our back and the

sails full. The more solutions a captain

and its crew come up with, the more

chances for rewards, and support from

the fleet will come.

Alberta Alpine is dedicated to excellence

in ski racing with the overall goal of

“being the best at every level”. We must

all work together to find solutions to our

ongoing voyage, and with a little more than

traditional thinking we can overcome the

seas of change and prevail.

Contact me anytime for more information

on coach licensing, education credits,

in the field mentoring and evaluations,

trained, certified, advanced certification, and

ongoing coach education and development.

Rick Cook [email protected]

BANFF KIDS SKI FOR FREE!Team Caribou loves kids and loves to ski. We are

also proud of our community and committed to

re-investing in it in a meaningful way.

It is for these reasons that we have partnered

with Ski Norquay to launch the Caribou Kids

Season Pass. Under this program, Caribou has

committed to purchase a Norquay season pass

for all students at the Banff Elementary School

(participants will pay a nominal fee of $25 plus

GST to cover Norquay’s processing costs). Each

child will be receiving a flyer and registration

form at school with additional details.

We at Caribou appreciate our mountain

environment and believe in an active and healthy

lifestyle. We also choose our attitude, have fun,

and are passionate and enthusiastic in all that

we do. It is for these reasons that we are behind

this program to support healthy, active kids – we

see it as a perfect way to give back to the Town

of Banff.

See you on the slopes!

Gordon Lozeman, President, Banff Caribou Properties.

FROM THOMAS GRANDI:“Our sponsorship with Banff Lodging is the best

kind of sponsorship for sport,” said Thomas

Grandi, Alberta Alpine president.

“Banff Lodging’s intention is really to help all

young people have an opportunity to try skiing

and learn to love the sport. Gord Lozeman and

Sean O’Farrell have put their heads together to

put together a fantastic initiative that will put

more kids on the slopes and ultimately more ski

racers on course. It’s a model that hopefully can

be copied in other ski communities. I find this

incredibly generous and innovative!”

Thanks!

Thomas Grandi

The High Seas and Winds of ChangeBy Rick Cook, Manager Coach & Athlete Development

Apogee’s Support Extends Outside the Fence

Team DynamicsHow well do Mike Mackie’s teammates know him?

Jaime Philp Phillip Matejko Cam Brewington Geoff Irwin Mike Mackie

What is his favorite

discipline to race?

Downhill Downhill Anything but speed

because he screams

like a girl when he goes

fast!

Speed events, cause he

can squat four plates

a side

Suppa G!

What was his first

ever job?

Working on a golf course Something to do at a

golf course

Asking his parents for

money

He keeps telling me his

parents have jobs why

would he need one

Turf care specialist at

the golf course

What band would

he pay any money

to see?

I’m going to say “Death

Cab for Cutie”. The first

song I heard him play

in the van ever was by

this band.

Nelly Furtado Celine Dion He doesn’t have any

money

Lupe Fiasco’s got some

madd beats

Mike’s favorite sport

after skiing is…

Road biking, he does

sooo much of it when

there’s no snow on the

ground.

Wakeboarding or biking Exotic dancing I know he’s a fan of

swimming

Biking or waterskiing

Who is Mike’s all-

time favorite skier?

Rob Bosinger Rob Bosinger Cam Brewington Other than me, Cam, or

Grandi, probably Bode

Rob Bosinger

What is his usual

pre-race meal?

A meal that doesn’t

consists of gluten.

Something gluten-free Burnt gluten-free Kraft

dinner

Grilled cheese with ham

on mom’s home-made

bread.

Gluten-free power

bars...yumm

What is Mike’s

favorite TV show?

Lost, he informs the

team every once and a

while that he’s bought

a new season of this

show.

Lost or Entourage Gossip Girl Any show that a female

tween would enjoy

LOST! Best show ever! I

suggest watchin it

What type of skis

does he have?

Rossi!! OBVIOUSLY. Best

ski on the circuit!


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ALBERTA RACER: First off, tell us about your

most recent injury – how is the rehab going?

JAN HUDEC: Rehab is going great. Doctors

gave me the normal six-month timeline for

recovery. Out of all the surgeries (this is my

fourth to date, third reconstruction) this

one feels the best.

AR: As tough as the injury must be, are

you able to take some satisfaction in

knowing you earned your first ever World

Cup podium before getting injured?

JH: I’m definitely able to take some

satisfaction in knowing I had that

podium result. It takes a bit of the sting

out of my current injury and it really

motivates me to comeback and know that I

can have the results that I’m looking for.

AR: Out of the current CAST members,

who best personifies what it means to be

a “Canadian Cowboy?”

JH: Toss up between, Kucera, Stutz,

Spence…I would like to say me, but that

wouldn’t be right.

AR: What is your favorite race course on

the World Cup?

JH: St. Moritz, location of the 2003 World

Championships – it has a really neat

layout…and when it’s sunny it’s just the

best place to be.

AR: As the theme of this issue of Alberta

Racer is “Grassroots Development”, tell

us about one of your best memories of

your days with Banff Alpine Racers?

JH: I loved waking up in the morning,

jumping in the team van, going to the

hill, and getting to spend the day with my

buddies. To this day, I still love going on

road trips, and just being on the hill and

hanging out with my friends.

AR: Was there a coach, or individual

growing up that you feel is particularly

responsible for helping you get to where

you are today?

JH: Overall, I’d have to say that my Dad has

been the most influential person in my

career; he taught me everything I know.

Even things he was teaching me when I

was 8-years-old, I’m still hearing now at

25. I’ve also had great coaches throughout

my career – one in particular was Burkhart

Schaeffer.

AR: If you couldn’t be a full-time skier,

what career do you think you’d find

yourself in?

JH: Ahh...motorcycle racer, or rock star.

AR: Leading up to the 2010 Olympics,

what areas of your training are you hoping

to improve in?

JH: Staying healthy, and getting a six-pack…my

goal is to get one almost as good Thomas’…

AR: What is your favorite summer workout?

JH: Dirt biking.

AR: Thomas Grandi, your old teammate, is

now the President of Alberta Alpine. Will

you share your best ‘Thomas’ story with

the Alberta ski community?

JH: The last couple of years of his career

he really he exemplified hard work and

perseverance. I think he’s definitely

responsible for a lot of the success the

team is having now – the guys really looked

to him for leadership. It was just incredible

that a guy that had been on World Cup for

10-15 years achieved his best results at the

end of his career.

Q&A with Jan Hudec World Cup WinnerBy Adam Hull

Alberta Cup Championships are Back!Join Thomas Grandi, and a group of National

Team Skiers, at the Alberta Cup Championships,

April 12-13, 2008 at Nakiska Resort.

This two-day series, will give FIS eligible

Alberta skiers the opportunity to measure

themselves against some of the best in the

country.

Go to www.albertaalpine.ca

for more information!

Alberta Racer

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