KIMBERLEY, B.C. (March 14, 2011) – Josh Dueck is heading back to his hometown of Kimberley, B.C., to lead the push for the podium at the 2011 TELUS Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Championships, starting Tuesday, March 15.

Dueck, a silver medalist in slalom at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, will try to defend his Canadian Championship titles in slalom and giant slalom, which he earned in 2009 at Sun Peaks, B.C., in the men’s sitting category.

“It’s probably one of my favorite events of the year,” he said. “It’s a good chance for me to see the talent that is coming through. From what I understand and the glimpses that I’ve seen, there is going to be some great competition there and a lot of upcoming superstars right here in our own backyard.”

The Canadian Championships are a great occasion for World Cup and development athletes to interact with up-and-coming skiers from across Canada.

“One of the best parts is that it’s a good opportunity to get some face time and get to know these athletes and let them meet the coaches,” said Dueck, the 2009 downhill IPC World Champion. “I also try to explain to them the commitment that it takes to be an athlete for Canada.

“We get to represent our country and it’s important to share that with them and encourage them to dream big because they are our future. I could ski for another 20 years, but really will I?” added Dueck.

Alpine Canada Alpin has been proactively increasing its efforts to develop future World Champions and World Cup winners leading into the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. The Canadian Championships are the best introduction for these emerging talents.

“This year, with increased participation from other nations, our national championships will prove to be another good event,” said Athletic Director, CPAST Brianne Law. “With our new prospect program, and the re-introduction of Para-Alpine into the Canada Winter Games, we have had the opportunity to see some of the provincial team athletes compete more, which is the direction we need to continue to move towards.”

Along with Dueck, Matt Hallat, of Squamish, B.C. will try to defend his national slalom title. Spruce Grove, Alta.,- based athlete Kirk Schornstein will be hoping to repeat his 2009 feat, when he took the giant slalom title home.  

Sam Danniels, of Whistler, B.C., Andrea Dziewior, of Nanaimo, B.C., and Melanie Schwartz, of Toronto, Ont., will also be present to fight for the titles in their categories.

The town of Kimberley celebrated ‘Josh Dueck Day’ on March 13, in front of his team and peers, to celebrate his accomplishments at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

“We had a little community gathering and I was hoping to reignite that same feeling I felt one year ago when we were in Whistler competing and it happened,” said Dueck.

“It was all about the unity of our country and our community. Everybody that was a part of the Games left that week feeling so much more empowered and enriched with a better perspective on life.”

Along with Dueck, five-time gold medalist at the 2010 Paralympic Games Lauren Woolstencroft, of North Vancouver, B.C. and Karolina Wisniewska, of Ottawa, Ont. were also celebrated by having their own day – March 15. Viviane Forest’s former guide, Lindsay Debou, of Whistler, B.C., was honoured the same day as Dueck.

“It was really special to have our 2010 Paralympic medalists honoured as they have been given their own ‘days’ by the B.C. government,” added Law. “The organization and the town of Kimberley wanted to take this opportunity to get local support from Josh’s hometown crowd and celebrate the athlete’s achievements.”

The TELUS Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Championships, which will crown the Canadian champions in slalom and giant slalom, are scheduled to run in Kimberley, B.C., from March 15 to March 18.

2011 TELUS CANADIAN PARA-ALPINE SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
SHEDULE OF EVENTS

2011 IPC TELUS CANADIAN PARA-ALPINE SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
CANADIAN ROSTER – MEN AND LADIES

Name (Residence) Category
Samuel Danniels (Whistler, B.C.) LW 10-1
Josh Dueck (Vernon, B.C.) LW 11
Andrea Dziewior (Nanaimo, B.C.) LW 2
Matthew Hallat (Squamish, B.C.) LW 2
Kirk Schornstein (Spruce Grove, Alta) LW 5/7-2
Melanie Schwartz (Toronto, Ont.) LW 2

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