The Canadian Ski Cross Team Says Goodbye To One Of It's Pioneers

Calgary Olympic Park
Calgary, AB (July 7, 2009)

It is with regret that we say goodbye and good luck to one of the true pioneers of the sport of Ski Cross. Anik Demers-Wild recently announced that she would be retiring from the sport that she helped to bring to the mainstream. Plagued by injury over the last season it was a series of concussions that eventually forced the former X-Game Ski Cross Champion to retire.

Born in Lac-Beauport, Quebec, Anik was introduced to skiing by her parents who instilled in her a love of sport and the outdoors. "I was a very fierce competitor at a young age.  My ambitious attitude brought many victories and pride, which drove me to succeed," says Demers-Wild.

A talented athlete that excelled in virtually every sport she participated in, Anik rose through the ranks of Alpine Ski Racing where in 1989, at the age of 17, she was selected as a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. Over the next 5 years, Anik achieved success in both Europe and North America, with podiums at Canadian National Championship and NorAm events.

After leaving Alpine Canada, Anik turned her focus to school where she was awarded a full scholarship to Sierra Nevada Collage, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science and Ski Industry Business. Still feeling the need to compete, Demers-Wild applied her skill and passion for ski racing to the then emerging sport of Ski Cross where she immediately stood out as one of the sport's top competitors. Participating in events all over the world, Demers-Wild's love of the new sport was cemented when in 2000 she was crowned X-Games Champion.

In 2007, Demers was selected to the newly formed Canadian Ski Cross Team with her eyes on the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

"I was saddened to learn of Anik's decision to retire." Said Cam Bailey, President and CEO of the Canadian Ski Cross Team, "I have always been inspired by her tenacity, professionalism and enthusiasm for the sport. Anik has become a true icon in the sport and someone to look up to and admire. I know how hard this decision must be for her to make and wish her the very best on her road to recovery. The Canadian Ski Cross Team program has come a long way in a short period of time due, in part, to Anik's vision and willingness to help shape a Team that has enjoyed significant success it has over the last two years."

A Few Words from Anik

After 30 years of uninterrupted ski racing.  Three months into trying to nurse back to health concussion #9; health, family, friends and my business career have prevailed.  The risk of jeopardizing a bright future is in not an option this time around. There is no need for me to expose my head to unnecessary trauma anymore.

Besides, the fact that my head has become extremely fragile to jarring, and that my perception at speed is inadequate, I have not been able to get back to an optimal form yet and the progress is slow.  Consequently, my goal to be a top contender in the Ski Cross event of the 2010 Olympics has become unrealistic.
It was just a bad day on the hill, little that I new, this small incident was going to be a career ending injury.  It is a harsh fate to accept, leaving the competition world of a sport I truly enjoy and within 10 months of what could have become the pinnacle of my skiing career.

Now what?

Family, friends, kids, working within the industry of skiing, growing my business, renovating our home, paddling...all in the plans!  Aside from the vivid ski cross memories occupying my dream nightly: I'm at ease with the decision and excited to experience what's next, as always, waking up daily with a strong determination to fulfill my life.

My ski racing career has been an amazing journey.  It has provided me with instruction for life, self-discipline, independence, confidence and decisions making skills, fulfilled with memorable friendships, traveling stories and noteworthy life experiences.

Thanks to all of you that have contributed and supported this amazing adventure.  I invite you to stay in touch by visiting my website: www.anikdemerswild.com

Francais

Apres 30 années de compétition, trois mois à essayer de guérir une simple commotion cérébrale (la neuvième en carrière), ma santé, la famille, les amis et ma carrière en affaires ont priorité et cette fois, prendre le risque de continuer n'est pas une option.

Depuis ma chute, ma tête est extrêmement fragile au mouvement brusque et ma perception a la vitesse n'est pas adéquate.  En conséquence, je ne suis pas de retour à ma forme optimale et le progrès est très lent.  Ainsi, mon objectif d'être parmis les tops compétiteurs de Skicross au Olympiques de 2010 est devenu irréaliste.

C'était juste une mauvaise journée à la montagne.  Je n'avais aucune idée qu'un simple incident allait causer fin a ma carrière.  C'est une circonstance difficile à accepter, avec l'énergie et le travail que  j'y ai mis et surtout a seulement 10 mois de ce qui aurait pu être le sommet de ma carrière de skieuse.

Alors, quoi maintenant?

Famille, Amis, Bambin, rester impliquer dans l'industrie du ski, faire grandir mon business, rénover la maison, faire du Canoe... À l'exception de vivides souvenirs de skicross qui hantent mes rêves la nuit, je suis bien avec ma décision; je suis inspirée avec mes nouveaux projets et comme toujours je me réveille le matin avec la détermination de réaliser mes nouveaux objectifs.

Ma carrière de skieuse a été une aventure mémorable avec des amitiés inoubliables et des expériences de vie remarquables qui m'ont enseigné la discipline, m'a donne de la confiance, et de l'indépendance.  

En terminant, je voudrais remercier tout ceux et celles qui ont contribué et qui ont participé a cette aventure extraordinaire et je vous invite à rester en contact avec moi sur mon site Web : www.anikdemerswild.com