Pollock retires after 17 years with Canadian team

CALGARY, Alberta – After a career spanning 17 years with Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) and guiding the Canadian women’s alpine team through four Olympic Winter Games and seven World Championships, Jim Pollock is retiring to spend more time with his family.

“It’s been a great run and a big part of my life for many years,” said Pollock. “I’ve been so fortunate to have worked with many talented and dedicated athletes and coaches over the years. We had a great group with the right chemistry to inspire and motivate each other, resulting in great achievements on the world stage.”

Pollock is regarded as the architect of Canada’s modern day technical team, which has grown into a competitive force on the World Cup circuit. The women’s alpine team, currently led by veterans Marie-Michéle Gagnon, Erin Mielzynski and Marie-Pier Préfontaine, have racked up four World Cup podiums in slalom and alpine combined in the past three seasons, and anchored the team in a hard-fought silver medal achievement for Canada in the team event at this year’s 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail-Beaver Creek, Colorado.

Mark Rubinstein, chief executive officer of ACA, believes Pollock’s contributions have been invaluable.

“He has made innumerable contributions to the development and success of our women team’s performances over many years. Jim exemplifies what it means to coach at the highest level of our sport – passion, dedication, experience and commitment – we are grateful for Jim’s many years of service with ACA and wish him and his family all the best for the future,” noted Rubinstein.

While Gagnon battled a shoulder injury all season, she still produced several of top 10 results and Erin Mielzynski rebounded to regain a top 15 ranking in slalom, along the way finishing sixth at the World Championships. Veteran giant slalom specialist Marie-Pier Préfontaine raced to a career best sixth-place finish, moving her into the top 15 World Cup standings.

“I’ve worked with Jim since 2009 at the Aspen World Cup,” said Mielzynski. “His commitment to the team and his athletes has always been unwavering and he’s created a sense of family for our team. His passion for skiing is contagious and has kept us going even during some of our toughest days, sticking with us through our ups and downs and always being there pushing us to do our best, believing in us through every turn.”

Pollock believes the pipeline for women’s alpine skiers is strong with Valérie Grenier, Candace Crawford and Mikaela Tommy all coming up to join the World Cup team this season.

“They had a breakthrough year, dominating the NorAm circuit and cracking the top 30 in World Cup races for the first time, as well as medaling at the World Junior Championships,” added Pollock. “This team is primed for success for many years to come – the future promises to be an exciting time for Canadian women’s skiing.”

Pollock will remain active in coaching with planned projects in Canada and abroad.

Roland Pfeifer, former coach of Mikaela Shiffrin, has been named the new Canadian head women’s combi coach, taking over the helm from Pollock. The Canadian women’s team will also have the support of a head World Cup speed coach this season in Tina Maze’s former coach, Valerio Ghirardi.

Release courtesy of ACA