Featured image: World Cup racer and two-time Olympian Valérie Grenier. Credit: GEPA

Information about the awards provided by Alpine Canada Alpin

Alpine Canada Alpin announced the recipients of the 2024 Canadian Ski Racing Awards. These accolades aim to acknowledge the achievements and impact made by individuals in Canada’s ski racing community.

The recipients of these awards are nominated by the Provincial and Territorial Sports Organizations (PTSOs), various Canadian ski clubs, and the public. The awards showcase individuals who are genuinely impacting the sport in a meaningful way both on and off the slopes.

The committee faces a difficult task every year when selecting from the impressive pool of nominees. Every nominee demonstrates a strong dedication to alpine ski racing and a deep passion for their participation, making each one truly deserving of accolades.

This year, there were ten different awards given, with a male and a female chosen in each award category. Congratulations to all of the recipients! Ski Racing Media commends you for your hard work and dedication. 

The Alpine Athlete’s of the Year

Valérie Grenier

Cameron Alexander

Ski Cross Athletes of the Year 

Marielle Thompson

Reece Howden

Para-Alpine Athlete of the Year 

Frédérique Turgeon

Alexis Guimond

Minogue Award of Excellence 

Britt Richardson

The Minogue Award recognizes one emerging ACA athlete who demonstrates excellence in all aspects of their current athletic year. All athletes with three years or less as a member of the National or NextGen Team, are eligible candidates. The winner of the Minogue Award of Excellence receives a bursary of $10,000.

Coach of the Year-National Teams 

Kya Fairley: Assistant Coach for Ski Cross on Alpine Canada Alpin

Victor Dockal: Head Coach for Ski Cross on Alpine Canada Alpin 

Coach of the Year-Provincial Teams

Claudel Mey-Plouffe: Coach of the Alpine Women’s Team at Ski Québec Alpin

Yves Payer: Head Coach of the Alpine Women’s Team at Ski Québec Alpin

Coach of the Year- Domestic Programs 

Sarah Byrne: U12 Alpine Lead Coach at Wentworth Ski Race Club

Luke Patterson: Alpine FIS Head Coach and Athletic Director at Banff Alpine Racers

Volunteer of the Year

Caroline Pageau 

Nancy Greene Builder Award 

Helmut Spiegl: Windermere Valley Ski Club at Panorama Mountain Resort, BC

Sam Ousher Switzer Charitable Foundation 

Jared Schmidt 

Thanks to the generous support of the Sam Ousher Switzer Charitable Foundation; the Foundation’s goal is to improve the quality of lives of Calgarians and Albertans, in this case through access to advanced education. The recipient of the award receives $5,000 to help cover tuition costs.

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About the Author: Ellie Hartman

Ellie Hartman was born and raised in Breckenridge, Colorado, and was on skis soon after she was able to walk. She raced for Team Summit, out of Copper Mountain, from the age of five until she was 18. After her PG program ended, she embarked on an unexpected journey when she was recruited to join the NCAA Division II rowing team at Barry University in Miami, Florida. She took on the role of team captain and led her squad to victory in two NCAA Championships, all while successfully completing her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration. After, she took 4 years to work, travel and write. Then, Ellie went back to Miami to assistant coach the University of Miami Women's Rowing Team and get a another degree in a Master's of Professional Science for Marine Conservation. She spent time as a Communications Specialist, Research Assistant and Marine Mammal Observer for NOAA SEFSC. After her contract ended, she was excited to find her way back into the ski racing world! Ellie enjoys skiing, ocean animals, great coffee, travel, SCUBA Diving, anything outdoors, delicious beer, and happy people.