SESTRIERE, ITA (January 14, 2011) – Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team veteran Chris Williamson, from Markham, Ont., is one of the three Paralympic medalists who will lead the push for the podium at the 2011 Para-Alpine World Championships in Sestriere, ITA, this week.
The 38-year-old athlete reached the milestone of 100 IPC World Cup podium finishes last Tuesday and already has seven IPC World Championship medals to his name.
Williamson is looking to add more medals to his trophy cabinet in Italy. Alongside his new Mont-Tremblant, Que., based guide, Robin Fémy, he is looking to win the marquee alpine skiing event, the downhill race.
“My state of mind entering these competitions is very positive,” said Williamson. “I came off a very good World Cup series. Robin and I are working well together for our first year and I think we have the potential to medal at every event, so we are both looking forward to that.
“On top of feeling great on my skis, I’ve always had great success here winning two downhills and super-G in the past two years. The only event I’ve never raced here is a giant slalom,” added Williamson.
Former downhill world champion, Vernon-based athlete Josh Dueck, will be looking to defend his title. At the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Whistler, B.C., he won a silver medal in slalom in the men’s sitting category.
Ottawa-based athlete Karolina Wisniewska, who was a double bronze medalist at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, is also representing Canada at these world championships in Italy. Wisniewska finished in third place in the overall IPC World Cup rankings in her category.
Canada’s goal for these World Championships will be to secure at least eight podium finishes. The Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team had its best ever result at the last World Championships in 2009, held in Korea, by winning 17 medals.
“Our team is the smallest it has been in years, so winning medals will be even more meaningful this year,” said CPAST Athletic Director Brianne Law. “We had a solid start to the World Cup race season, which puts us in a good place to reach for the podium on different occasions.
“With a condensed race season this year, everyone will be pushing the limits here and taking the chances they need to win. Our team is capable of performing at their best, and we will be in the hunt for podium performances,’ added Law.
Also apart of the team is Squamish athlete Matt Hallat, who classifies in the standing category, along with first-timer Kirk Schornstein, from Spruce Grove, Alta.
Morgan Perrin from, Whistler, B.C., was scheduled to participate in the competition but suffered a suspected left foot fracture. He is expected to return home on Sunday.
The World Championships, which will crown the world champions in slalom, giant slalom, super combined, super-G and downhill, are scheduled to run in Sestriere, ITA from January 16 to January 23.
2011
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
SHEDULE OF EVENTS
|
DATE |
EVENT |
|
January 16 |
Women and Men Downhill |
|
January 16 |
Women and Men Super-G |
|
January 16 |
Women and Men Super combined |
|
January 16 |
Women and Men Slalom |
|
January 22 |
Women and Men Giant Slalom |
|
January 23 |
Team Event |
Para-alpine ski racing has three different categories in each race, with events in visually impaired, standing and sitting categories for both men and ladies.
2011 IPC PARA-ALPINE WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
CANADIAN ROSTER – MEN AND
WOMEN
Name (Residence) Category
Josh Dueck (Vernon, B.C.) LW 11
Robin Fémy (Mont-Tremblant, Que.) Guide
Matthew Hallat (Coquitlam, B.C.) LW 2
Morgan Perrin (Vancouver, B.C.) LW3/2
Kirk Schornstein (Spruce Grove, Alta) LW 5/7-2
Chris Williamson (Markham, Ont.) B 3
Karolina Wisniewska (Ottawa, Ont) LW 3
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Alpine Canada Alpin is the national governing body for alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada Alpin develops Olympic, World Championship and World Cup medalists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community. Please visit us at www.canski.org and www.canadaskicross.ca.
INFORMATION:
Sophie
Pilon
Coordinator, PR and Media /
Coordonatrice, Relations publiques et média
Alpin
Canada
T: 403-777-3650
C:
403-815-7340
spilon@canski.org
www.canski.org
