Canada sends 7 alpine skiers to World Junior Championships in Russia

CALGARY, Alberta – Seven junior Canadian alpine athletes are heading to Sochi, Russia, for the World Junior Championships, providing athletes a unique opportunity to compete on a global stage. Selected athletes between the ages of 16 and 21 years of age will compete for Canada in an important milestone in their development for future World Cup and Olympic competition. Medaling at the WJC is a regarded as a significant accomplishment for athletes, who often end up as podium contenders on the World Cup circuit.

Last year, Alpine Canada Alpin’s Valérie Grenier nabbed a third-place finish in the giant slalom event. Grenier will be back at the WJC looking to secure another podium result this year.

“The World Juniors are very important in the development of Canada’s young athletes,” said Dusan Grasic, director of domestic sport at ACA. “Medals indicate athletes will be contenders on the World Cup tour. We’ve recently had great results from both the men and ladies on the NorAm circuit and we will be looking to see some podium finishes play out at the World Juniors.”

February has been an exciting month for the next generation of Canadian alpine ski racers. Ali Nullmeyer, one of the WJC selected athletes, also participated in the Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, where she came away with a silver medal the slalom event.

Many of the selected athletes have already demonstrated great success on the NorAm circuit this season. Watch for them in the coming days as SkiRacing.com covers the WJCs.

• Stefanie Fleckenstein – West Vancouver, BC
• Valérie Grenier – Mont Tremblant, Que.
• Ali Nullmeyer – Toronto, Ont.
• Mikaela Tommy – Wakefield, Que.
• Alexa Dlouhy – Montreal, Que. (not attending due to conflicting educational schedule at Dartmouth College)
• Jack Crawford – Toronto, Ont.
• Jeff Read – Calgary, Alta.
• Brodie Seger – North Vancouver, B.C.

Release courtesy of ACA