Canadians ready for home race at Lake Louise

When Olympic medalist Jan Hudec talks about the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup, he compares it to a hockey team playing a home game.

Members of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team play a lot of away games, spending most of the winter racing in Europe. Having the first speed events of the World Cup season at home gives the men’s and women’s team a rare advantage.

“There is something about being in your own dressing room,” said Hudec, who won the bronze medal in the super G at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. 

“Friends and family are at the game. It’s just kind of a little bit more intimate setting.”

The Calgary resident grew up skiing at Lake Louise and won a World Cup downhill there in 2007. The hill has a special meaning for him.

“I’ve been skiing on and off there since I was nine,” he said.  “You know the hill.

“When you are standing at the start gate I know how much familiarity can really help you.”

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup men’s downhill will be held Saturday followed by a super G Sunday. The women take over with downhill races Dec. 5 and 6. The two weekends of racing wraps up with a women’s super G Dec. 7.

Paul Kristofic, Alpine Canada’s vice-president of sport, said the opening speed races can set the tone for the rest of the season.

“It’s always good to have a solid start to the season,” said Kristofic. “It’s the first test where you are up against everybody in a race scenario.

“Everyone is pretty anxious to get it started and get a good result under their belt. We always aim to come out of the blocks as strong as possible and post a good result at Lake Louise.”

Canadian skiers have a history of success at Lake Louise. Besides Hudec, Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Vancouver won a super G race in 2009 and was second in the 2006 downhill. John Kucera won a super G in 2006 and was second in 2008.

On the women’s side, Emily Brydon was second in downhill in 2009 and Kelly VanderBeek was third in super G in 2006.

This year two stars of the men’s team will be watching from the sidelines.

Erik Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Que., who leads all Canadians with 22 World Cup podiums, is still recovering from knee surgery. Robbie Dixon of Whistler, B.C., is out for the season with a broken leg.

The Canadian men will still have a strong contingent led by veterans like Hudec, Osborne-Paradis and Ben Thomsen of Invermere, B.C.

“Both Manny and Jan have won at Lake Louise,” said Kristofic. “They have a pretty strong history there of doing well. They are eyeballing the podium for sure.

“Ben Thomsen is looking to have a solid result. He’s been skiing well.”

Some younger team members will be looking to impress the coaching staff.

Morgan Pridy, 23, of Whistler, B.C., finished 10th in the super G at Sochi.

Hudec is excited about the potential of Brodie Seger, 18, of North Vancouver, B.C., and Whistler’s Broderick Thompson, 20, the brother of Olympic ski cross gold medalist Marielle Thompson. Both are development team members.

“Both have been skiing really well,” noted Hudec.

“It’s too early to say they are going to be the next big thing on the World Cup but I truly believe they are very talented and can surprise a few people. I hope they show up big this year.”

Two independent skiers – Jeffrey Frisch of Mont-Tremblant, and Conrad Pridy of Whistler – will race in hopes of gaining a spot with the Alpine Canada program next season. 

The Canadian starters for tomorrow’s downhill were announced: Osborne-Paradis, Hudec, Thomsen, Morgan Pridy, Frisch, Dustin Cook, and Thompson.

Release courtesy of Alpine Canada