12.17.09 - Racers Ready...

Racers Ready… Canada Ski Cross Poised to Build on Last Season’s Successes

Calgary, Alberta (Dec. 15, 2009) - With the 2009-2010 season about to  get underway the Canadian Ski Cross Team, consisting of eight men and five women, have left Canada in preparation for the first World Cup race of the season in San Candido, Italy being held on December 21/22, 2009.

This summer and fall, the Team has spent a considerable amount of time and effort focusing on strength and physical conditioning to assist them with all aspects of their racing including the all important start with an intense focus on winning the Hole Shot¹.  In addition to the time spent in the gym, the team had extensive on-snow training with camps at Whistler/Blackcomb, BC, New Zealand, Farnham Glacier, BC, Panorama Mountain Resort, BC, and Powder King Mountain Resort, BC.

“Early focus on technical refinement translated into greater success as the team moved to full length courses. The variety of venues gave the athletes the opportunity to test their skills under a multitude of different conditions and situations.  The training regiment laid out by the coaching staff, led by Dave Ellis, Eric Archer, Willy Raine and Brent Kehl, has given our athletes a full quiver of tools with which to achieve success this coming season” said Cam  Bailey, president & CEO of Canada Ski Cross.

“Everyone on the team has worked very hard during the off-season and it shows in their physical presence and their level of skiing….. These guys are ready and anxious to race!” said Eric Archer, Canada Ski Cross Team, Head Coach.

The Women’s Team consists of: Ashleigh McIvor, the reigning World Champion and 2010 Olympic Team member, Kelsey Serwa, ranked third in the world and winner of last year’s Rookie of the Year award, Aleisha Cline, winner of last year’s Cypress World Cup - home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Julia Murray and Danielle Poleschuck.

The Men’s Team consists of: Chris Del Bosco, ranked second in the world, who also won last year’s Cypress World Cup - home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Stanley Hayer, winner of the coveted 2009 Winter X Games, Davey Barr, Bronze medalist at the World Championships, Brady Leman, Brian Bennett, Dave Duncan, Cameron Culbert and Nik Zoricic.

Cam Bailey, President & CEO of the Canada Ski Cross Team said, “Last year we where the most successful Ski Cross Team in the world, winning the overall Nations Cup. There were four Canadian women and three men that earned podium finishes last year demonstrating tremendous depth in the program. Having observed the team during fall training anyone of them has the potential to podium.”

So as we head to the season opening race in San Candido next week, cheer on our Olympic hopefuls and help support the team by checking our site for updates and wear your support by purchasing something from our new online store.  www.ski-cross.ca

¹  Hole-shot - winning the start and taking the lead (http://www.ski-cross.ca/Ski-Cross-Terms)

For Further Information Contact

Andrew Squires
Director of Marketing and Communications
Canadian Ski Cross Team
Email – asquires@ski-cross.ca