Canadians start on-snow camps in New Zealand

Canada’s Alpine Ski Teams are officially training on snow for the first time in the 2010/2011 season, skiing in New Zealand in preparation for the start of the FIS World Cup season and the upcoming 2011 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Canada’s men’s teams, as well as some high-potential prospects, began on snow training at Coronet Peak Ski Area in Queenstown, NZ Sunday. The fully-equipped camp started on schedule despite a fire at Heathrow airport that destroyed equipment intended for the training.

“The dryland training leading up to this on-snow camp was intense and has us prepared and ready to go,” said Manuel Osborne-Paradis a two time winner on last season’s World Cup tour. “The speed team is in New Zealand for two weeks and I think that is the right amount of time for us. We are really motivated and looking forward to getting the most out of our time on snow.”

Men’s team head coach Paul Kristofic said the focus will be on basics during the first ski camp of the season.

“There is definitely a positive energy to this camp. Johno (McBride) is leading the speed group and we have Dusan (Grasic) on the tech side. There are some new faces among both the coaches and athletes, as well as some of the support staff, and that is bringing a new energy and excitement to everything that we are doing,” said Kristofic.

Several Canadian skiers are scheduled to compete in a FIS giant slalom race at Coronet Peak on August 4.

The women’s tech and speed teams will be in New Zealand for much of August, beginning at the Roundhill Ski Area on August 1.

“After some hard work in the gym and on my bike, I am really excited to get back on skis. I’m looking forward to working with the new coaches that we have going into this World Championship season,” said Britt Janyk, who has been on a World Cup podium twice in her career including a downhill win in Aspen in 2007.

“We have a young team right now, other than myself. And I am really looking forward to leading them into the upcoming season,” Janyk said.

The 2010 World Cup calendar gets underway with men’s and women’s giant slalom races as well as a team event in October.

Photo of Manny Osborne-Paradis by GEPA